Celtic interim chairman Brian Wilson has moved to defend the Hoops support following the chaotic scenes at Ibrox, describing the post-match pitch invasion as a “euphoric response” to a dramatic cup victory. In a candid interview with Celtic TV, Wilson also took aim at Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell, following her public criticism of both Glasgow clubs’ silence regarding the disorder.
The fallout from Sunday’s penalty shootout win has been dominated by images of hundreds of fans on the turf and clashes involving missiles and pyrotechnics. However, Wilson insists that a “false narrative” is being created and urged authorities to wait for the results of a full SFA inquiry before issuing blanket condemnations.
“Statements Don’t Solve Decades of Issues”
Responding directly to Chief Constable Jo Farrell’s remarks at Holyrood—where she labelled the clubs’ lack of commentary “disgraceful”—Wilson argued that public statements are often performative and do little to address the root causes of football disorder.
“If this could be resolved by statements of condemnation, it would have been resolved decades ago,” Wilson stated. “Measuring responses by condemnatory statements isn’t really accurate. It’s actions that matter. We work closely with Police Scotland and the Safety Advisory Group; all of that is on the record.”
Wilson further defended the Celtic fans who spilled onto the pitch following Tomas Cvancara’s winning penalty, noting that such celebrations are common in Scottish football and usually do not draw the same level of vitriol.
Safety Concerns and the Broomloan Stand
While the focus has been on the post-match disorder, Wilson revealed that the club has been listening to “genuine concerns” from the Celtic Supporters Association regarding the policing and entry procedures at Ibrox. Fans reported being funnelled between police vans and held behind metal barriers, leading to a crush that saw some supporters rush the gates.
Wilson highlighted a departure from previous entry procedures at the Broomloan Stand as a primary source of tension: “The Celtic Supporters Association is a well-respected organisation which doesn’t raise issues lightly. They had a genuine concern about supporter safety and the access to the stand. We didn’t rush out a statement because we believe the way to address that is through an evidence-based approach with the authorities.”
Waiting for the SFA Inquiry
Celtic have confirmed they will cooperate fully with the Scottish FA’s investigation into the afternoon’s events. Wilson welcomed the inquiry, stressing that it must examine the full context of the day—from the policing of away fans to the flashpoints on the pitch.
“Let’s look at the evidence. If there’s evidence of violence or threats of violence, then of course I will condemn that,” Wilson concluded. “But we must look at the facts before we create a narrative that overshadows a brilliant result on the field.”
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
