The Scottish FA has today published an independent review into the post-match scenes at the Rangers v Celtic Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March this year.

Celtic won that tie following a penalty shoot-out, on their way to eventually lifting the trophy as part of a league and Scottish Cup Double last season.

Celtic Interim Chairman, Brian Wilson, said: “This is a thorough piece of work which provides all parties involved with food for thought and action.

“We welcome the repeated emphasis on the primacy of safety above all other considerations, a message consistent with Celtic’s approach in all it does.

“Celtic made its strong objections to important elements of matchday planning very clear, well in advance of the match.

“While we remain in dispute regarding certain points within this review, our club does not shrink from criticisms contained in the report or the lessons to be drawn. Nobody should, since the potential implications of disregarding them are obviously serious, both for safety and for football.

“We continue to believe that the non-violent incursion by a small number of Celtic supporters following the conclusion of the Scottish Cup quarter-final was not, in itself, a major or threatening incident.

“However, the actions by a section of the home support, some of them masked and carrying weapons, and subsequent attacks on our supporters and staff, were deeply concerning and we remain puzzled as to why the actions recommended by the Safety Advisory Group of Glasgow City Council were overturned at a senior level within Police Scotland.

“This has left a vacuum in the role previously understood by consent to be occupied by the Safety Advisory Group. Accordingly, we welcome the recommendation that the status of Safety Advisory Groups should be formalised and strengthened.

“While this was, of course, an away fixture for Celtic, we will seek to learn lessons of value to our own operations and co-operate fully with the authorities in doing so."

SFA INDEPENDENT REVIEW

Scottish FA publishes independent review into Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox