Police responding to medical emergency pelted with bottles by rowdy Celtic fans | Football | Sport
Residents and businesses in Glasgow have publicly condemned the ‘serious civil disorder’ involving Celtic supporters that turned the city center into a ‘No Go Zone’ on Saturday night. Thousands of fans flocked to Trongate for the fifth consecutive year after the Hoops clinched the Scottish Premiership title in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the season.
Hearts had been top of the table since September but were beaten 3-1 in a fiercely competitive match at Celtic Park in the final minutes due to attacks on the pitch and reports of “physical and verbal attacks” on visiting players. Riot police were later deployed to maintain order in the Merchant City and Trongate areas after officers were pelted with bottles and other projectiles while responding to a “medical emergency”.
Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MTCC) said in an official statement that it “condemns in the strongest terms the behavior of Celtic fans who have destroyed the image of Scotland’s biggest city by once again turning the center of Glasgow into a ‘No Trespassing’ zone.”
“This is the fifth consecutive year that the local residents we represent have witnessed serious civil disorder, littering, property damage and street takeover following the Celtic Premiership title.
“Following each of the four previous incidents of lawlessness, MCTCC called on the club and Glasgow City Council (GCC) to come up with a plan to stop a repeat of this incident. Unfortunately they have failed to do so. Frankly we are desperate.”
MTCC said fans had ignored a “belated call to celebrate peacefully” from Celtic FC and the SNP-run local government. The statement added: “The outcome was unfortunately all too predictable.”
It continued: “On Saturday residents saw between 10,000 and 15,000 Celtic fans descend on Trongate and Glasgow Cross, scale a historic building, set off flares and fireworks, littered streets across the city center with bottles and cans and blocked major roads including the High Street and Saltmarket.
“Meanwhile, stores, including supermarkets, were handing out alcohol with no questions asked. Many businesses closed their doors. Many residents knew what was coming and fled their homes for the weekend.
“The price paid to taxpayers is once again very heavy. There were more officers on duty this year than the 350 cops trying to cope in 2025. The cost of cleaning streets and repairs to properties will again increase the public’s bill.
“The image of Scotland’s largest city – once again that of a ‘Proud Host’ of the Commonwealth Games – has been brought down by the inability of the local authority and Celtic FC to stop such anti-social behaviour.”
Hearts issued a statement strongly condemning the Celtic fans who stormed the pitch. They said: “Heart of Midlothian fully condemns the disgraceful scenes at Celtic Park this afternoon, which have once again brought Scottish football to shame.
“Reports of serious physical and verbal abuse of our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere, are deeply disturbing.
“We are investigating this fully and are in dialogue with Police Scotland. We will have no further comment at this time other than to say that it is completely unacceptable that our players and staff have been put in this situation.”
