Glasgow Police Officers Suffer Facial, Body Injuries as Celtic Title Celebrations Turn Violent
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland condemned the violence directed at officers, stating he was "disgusted and frustrated" by the events. He called for Celtic FC to engage proactively with authorities to prevent a recurrence of such disorder in future.
Police Scotland confirmed ten arrests in Trongate and four at Celtic Park, with further arrests anticipated as CCTV footage is reviewed. Another four individuals were apprehended in Edinburgh.
Following Celtic's 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian, securing their fifth consecutive Premiership title, supporters converged on Trongate. Initial celebrations, marked by green flares, degenerated into uglier scenes as the evening progressed. Officers assisting paramedics at a medical emergency were subjected to a barrage of bottles, necessitating the deployment of riot police to disperse the crowd.
One officer sustained facial injuries, while another suffered bruising to the body after being struck by projectiles. Mr Sutherland expressed relief that the injuries were not more severe given the volume of missiles hurled at personnel.
Separately, a pitch invasion occurred at Celtic Park after the third goal, leading to reports of Hearts players being confronted by Celtic supporters. Hearts condemned the "menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium," stating their staff had to leave immediately without fulfilling post-match media duties. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is awaiting referee and match delegate reports before considering potential disciplinary action, and intends to consult with the Scottish government on addressing pitch invasions.
