9 people arrested after violence erupted following Old Firm clash

Rangers and Celtic clashed at Ibrox in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, with the visitors winning after a tense penalty shootout.

But at the end of the tie, fans stormed the pitch in what police described as “shameful” scenes, with a number of arrests being made. One man was arrested and charged with an assault on a coach and a player.

Police Scotland said that a number of officers and members of the public were injured on the pitch after the match had ended, describing the scenes as “utterly disgraceful”.

There were items thrown, including pyrotechnics, and a 10-year-old child was struck by a coin.

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Three men, aged 54, 23 and 20, have been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault of a man on Helen Street following the match. They are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

A 54-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a police assault. He was later released on an undertaking to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

And a 47-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with an assault on a coach and player at the end of the match. He was also released to appear at a later date.

The force said there were also other arrests in relation to a number of offences, including abuse towards officers and culpable and reckless conduct.

Vandalism and graffiti within the stadium are also being investigated, Police Scotland added.

Chief Superintendent Emma Croft, Greater Glasgow divisional commander, said: "These were utterly disgraceful scenes and must be condemned by everyone involved in football and the wider society.

Chief superintendent Emma Croft (Image: Gordon Terris)

"No-one should have to face such extreme levels of violence and hostility, and those responsible will be identified and face the consequences.

"Several officers and members of the public, including a child, were injured as a result of what unfolded. This is totally unacceptable and shameful behaviour.

“It begs the question, does someone need to be critically injured or worse before this behaviour is treated with the seriousness it deserves?

“Policing will play its role in addressing these issues but it requires collective action by a number of organisations with whom we are currently engaging.

“Crucially, however, I would also call out the need for individuals who see fit to behave in such a despicable manner to take personal accountability.”

Croft added that “no game of football should be overshadowed by the behaviours of a few.”

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She continued: "A policing enquiry team has been established today to investigate all incidents pertaining to the quarter final fixture and I would appeal to any member of the public who has information which may assist those enquiries to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible.

"I want to give my assurance that our investigation will be very thorough, and further arrests will be made in due course.

“For those involved in this kind of disorder, the message is simple: it is not a question of if, but when we will identify and come looking for you.”

It comes after First Minister John Swinney said the violence was “utterly unacceptable” and that there was “no justification for it whatsoever”.

“There was severe danger applied to fans and to police officers and to stewards, it was completely unacceptable in every respect,” he said.

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The First Minister added that Police Scotland have his full backing to go after and arrest those involved.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Monday morning, Stuart Murphy, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Fans Association, described the situation as a “debacle”.

“I’m angry this morning,” he said.

“Actually, I’m angry on behalf of the majority of all decent fans, who will all feel tarnished and stained by that debacle yesterday which is the only way to describe it.

“I was at the Old Firm cup final 45 years ago and 45 years on, we’ve not moved on at all, so this morning is not a good day for the game in general.”

Following the 1980 Scottish Cup final at Hampden, the two sets of supporters clashed on the pitch, resulting in 200 arrests and a subsequent ban on the sale of alcohol in sports grounds in Scotland – which still stands for football stadiums today.