This season has been largely one to forget for Celtic supporters, but there have still been memorable moments, none more so than what transpired across the city on Sunday. The Hoops' imperious record at Ibrox when backed by a full travelling support very much continued.
Following a high-octane but low-quality two hours of full-blooded Old Firm derby, the tie was settled by a penalty shootout. James Tavernier, via the crossbar, and Djeidi Gassama both blasted high into the Copland Road Stand, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Auston Trusty, Reo Hatate and Tomáš Čvančara all held their nerve to convert, the latter sparking wild scenes of celebration.
The major talking point before the game, and as it would transpire after it, was the return of a full allocation of away fans to a Glasgow derby. The visitors were allocated the entire Broomloan Road Stand, around 7,500 supporters, having been allocated as few as a couple of hundred or even zero tickets for Old Firms since Covid-19. As noted by Inside The SPFL on Twitter, this victory maintained Celtic's perfect record at Ibrox when backed by a huge allocation of supporters since Rangers' liquidation.
Celtic's visits to Ibrox with a full allocation of away fans (2013-present)
- 8 March 2026: Rangers 0-0 Celtic (Celtic won 4-2 on penalties). Scottish Cup.
- 11 March 2018. Rangers 2-3 Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
- 23 September 2017. Rangers 0-2 Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
- 29 April 2017. Rangers 1-5 Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
- 31 December 2016. Rangers 1-2 Celtic. Scottish Premiership.
This away support really enhanced the red-hot atmosphere in Govan, and most believe this is how derbies should be, albeit post-match events mean the authorities may not agree. After Čvančara sent Jack Butland the wrong way from 12 yards, a few Celtic supporters spilt over onto the pitch, which they obviously should not do, but, at this stage, nothing overly serious was going on.
What escalated the situation was the fact that thousands of Rangers fans then also came onto the pitch in retaliation, including lots of the Union Bears, all wearing balaclavas. A member of Celtic's coaching staff was attacked, someone squared up to Julián Araujo, Čvančara appeared to have blood on his shirt, while Rangers fans launched multiple missiles in the form of pyrotechnics into the Celtic end, which is frankly extremely dangerous.
Ever since the riots that followed the 1980 Scottish Cup Final, another match in which Celtic beat Rangers, alcohol has been banned at all football stadiums in Scotland, and Sunday's events will ensure that ban won't be lifted any time soon. On the pitch, not since 1955 have either Celtic or Rangers failed to win a trophy, which could happen this season, with Hearts still top of the Premiership.
In the Scottish Cup, Celtic will take on St Mirren in the semi-finals, with Falkirk also facing Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden, meaning the Hoops are overwhelming favourites to regain the trophy. Next up, they'll host fourth-placed Motherwell in a must-win game on Saturday and, with title rivals Rangers and Hearts also set to visit Parkhead after the split, the Celtic support will continue to be key.