Celtic given 'timely' police reminder before derby

What the report says

Celtic players received a short visit from Police Scotland on Friday before Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final away to Rangers, with manager Martin O’Neill saying it was a reminder about behaviour in the derby. BBC Sport reports that the meeting came after last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, which was affected by fan disorder and led both clubs to be ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors.

O’Neill said the police spoke to the squad for about 15 minutes and stressed conduct on and off the pitch. He suggested the warning was linked to recent incidents in Old Firm fixtures and said celebrations or confrontations should be avoided. The article notes that this will be Celtic’s first return to Ibrox since that cup tie, though the teams did meet at Celtic Park in May, when Celtic won 3-1.

The BBC also says the Scottish Professional Football League has already decided that no away supporters will attend Old Firm league or League Cup matches this season. O’Neill described that as unusual, saying it will feel strange without visiting fans, while also acknowledging the intensity of the fixture and the importance of the home crowd. Celtic go into the match with recent derby success and a five-point lead in the league after six games, adding further weight to a game that remains one of Scottish football’s most closely watched fixtures.