Celtic appoint safety advisers after fan concerns

Police denied 90 Celtic fans access to the match on 16 March

Celtic have hired independent safety consultants to look into fan complaints about policing of the last Old Firm fixture.

The club previously said it had received complaints from supporters about events outside the stadium on 16 March and would be reviewing the concerns.

Officers were granted special powers ahead of the game to stop fans they believed to be under "reasonable suspicion" of committing a crime.

A total of 90 fans were denied entry to Celtic Park on the day after refusing to be searched by police.

Rangers went on to win the match 3-2, the Ibrox club's first victory at the home of their rivals since October 2020.

Celtic said they wanted to speak to Police Scotland in the wake of the Scottish Premiership game.

It was the first to be attended by away fans since 2023 following a ticket dispute between the Glasgow clubs.

The force defended the use of powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which led to the searches and detentions.

It said a significant number of pyrotechnics had been seized during the operation.

Ch Supt Stevie Dolan, who led the police operation, thanked the majority of fans for their good conduct and said searches were "undertaken proportionately".

"It was necessary to apply containment tactics to maintain public safety and deal effectively with those intent on disruption or non-compliance with relevant legislation," he added.

Supporter safety

Celtic have now announced they have hired Fairhurst, a UK-wide firm which offers consultation services on health and safety in construction projects and events.

The club statement said the firm would "collate and review the feedback on supporter experiences received by the club".

It added: "Fairhurst will also offer an opportunity for others who were present, and who have not already provided feedback on the events, to do so.

"Our primary concern will always be for the safety of our supporters.

"Within Celtic Park we work closely with Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, and other public authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our own fans, and all other visitors to the stadium."

The club said it recognised that "many supporters" had raised concerns about what happened on the day.

The statement continued: "All supporters should feel safe when attending - and travelling to - football matches.

"Just as supporters should behave safely and responsibly both inside and outside of football stadia, so too they should be confident at all times that they themselves will be treated fairly."

Celtic said they would talk to supporters, supporters' associations and clubs as well as the national force to "understand" the events.