Let’s cut to the chase. You can point the finger at Celtic supporters for coming onto the pitch and at Police Scotland for how they handled things, but that is not the full picture. To be fair, away fans did celebrate in the penalty area, and that behaviour needs addressing. But you can also see why Rangers fans reacted the way they did after losing a tight game. Emotions were raw and things spilled over.

Reaction matters as much as provocation

Here’s the truth: provocation and reaction are two sides of the same coin. If visiting fans pour onto the turf at the death of a match you are asking for trouble, especially in a fevered atmosphere. That does not excuse anyone. You can complain about supporters of the visiting club getting onto the pitch, and still accept that our end could and should have behaved better. I am not saying both are equally right, but you cannot ignore how our own reaction escalated matters.

It probably would have happened somewhere else

People make a fair point when they say this would have happened outside the ground if it had not been on TV. Trouble bubbles up in the pub, on the street, at the turnstiles. It is more visible when it is beamed across the nation, so it looks worse. That does not absolve anyone involved, but it does explain why incidents seem to repeat in different settings.

Clubs and the authorities need to stop hiding

What frustrates me most is the silence from the clubs. It looks pathetic when heavy responsibility is passed between supporters and police with no clear stance from those running the show. Police Scotland may be deflecting, and that is annoying, but saying they caused the incident is going too far. We can disagree on emphasis, but we should all want proper answers and steps to stop this happening again.

So yes, let us call out visiting fans when appropriate. But let us also hold our own to account. To my mind that is the only honest way forward. Agree to disagree? Fine. But let’s learn, not just point fingers.

Written by Angus1812: 13 April 2026

Tags: spfl