Around 3000 Hoops fans gathered in the Trongate area of the city on Saturday, May 16, after the Parkhead club defeated Hearts 3-1 at Celtic Park to retain their Scottish Premiership title.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland highlighted that the large majority of people in attendance were in a “celebratory mood” and just wanted to support the victory of their team.
However, there was “once again” significant disorder and antisocial behaviour from a minority of people when officers responded to a medical emergency within the crowd.
Police on the Gallowgate (Image: Newsquest)
A man was found unresponsive at Candleriggs after taking unwell at around 4pm. While dealing with this, officers are said to have come under “sustained attack from missiles and bottles”, which led to two being seriously injured.
Three members of the public were also taken to hospital.
There was a large police presence (Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire/PA Images)
Of the 14 arrests, four were made at the East End stadium while 10 were made in the Trongate area.
These are said to relate to several alleged offences, including mobbing and rioting, resisting arrest, police assault, and possession of offensive weapons.
A large number of alcohol and pyrotechnics were also confiscated at both locations.
ACC Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland (Image: Colin Mearns)
ACC Sutherland commented: “I cannot condemn this behaviour strongly enough. It is completely unacceptable.
“Our officers must be kept safe when doing their job. They acted bravely, courageously and with the highest degree of professionalism throughout the event.
“They took decisive action, which was entirely appropriate, to clear those intent on violence and disorder, and make arrests.
“The minority of individuals involved will face the most robust action from Police Scotland and partners as we move forward.
“If you were involved in criminality, expect us to be knocking at your door. Once again, Police Scotland has been left holding the responsibility and accountability for supporters away from the stadium at the Trongate.
“We have strong and positive relationships with Celtic Football Club and Glasgow City Council on a day-to-day basis to keep people safe, but on this particular issue, more must be done.
“Celtic FC and football authorities, working with local authorities and Police Scotland, must take greater responsibility.
“This cannot happen again at any future celebrations.”
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Significant work is ongoing around the disorder, with a major incident pubic portal (MIPP) having been set up where members of the public can send information directly to police.
Police Scotland is also investigating the pitch invasion at Celtic Park and continues to engage with Hearts FC to ‘establish if any of their players were assaulted on the pitch’.
Fans gathered in the city centre on Saturday, May 16, after Celtic defeated Hearts 3-1 to retain their Scottish Premiership title (Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire/PA Images)
Meanwhile, council officials have branded the disorder during the celebrations as an “embarrassment”.
The local authority commended the “vast majority” of fans who “celebrated in the right way” and those who respected various organisations’ appeals to stay away from the Trongate area.
It did however, state that some fans had “let down” the city, their club, and fellow supporters.
The statement reads: “Those involved – yesterday and over recent years – know the impact that they have on local communities and businesses. They do not care.
“We will continue to offer whatever support we can to the city’s clubs to facilitate safe and sustainable celebrations that will be meaningful to fans.”
Council teams led a significant clean-up operation late into Saturday night to clear away rubbish left strewn across roads and pavements in the city centre.
Images show the aftermath with the streets littered with a sea of bottles, plastic bags, cans, discarded vapes, and general waste.
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Rubbish left strewn across pavements and roads at Glasgow Cross (Image: Steve Welsh/PA Wire/PA Images)
Smashed glass could also be seen scattered across the ground. Crews finished the clean-up at around 11.30pm, ensuring the area was back to normal for the Cancer Research 10K Race for Life event on Sunday morning.
Elsewhere, frustrated residents in Glasgow’s Trongate hit out at Celtic and the council after thousands of Celtic fans gathered in the area for the fifth year in a row.
Members of the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC) say they condemn the behaviour of the group of supporters who turned the Gallowgate into a “no-go zone”.
The community council stated that ahead of the match, it had called on Celtic and Glasgow City Council (GCC) to come up with a plan to stop “another episode of lawlessness” but that both had “failed to do so”.
The group also claimed that many local businesses had reportedly “closed their doors” and residents “fled their homes for the weekend”.
In addition, the Scottish Premier Football League (SPFL) condemned the pitch invasion at Celtic Park.
After Celtic’s victory over Hearts on the final day of the league season, some home fans rushed onto the pitch following Callum Osmand’s goal, resulting in the match not resuming.
The SPFL said: “Firstly, we send our congratulations to Celtic on winning the William Hill Premiership in the most exciting of circumstances and send our commiserations to everyone at Heart of Midlothian following an incredible campaign.
“However, we utterly condemn the scenes which saw a number of Celtic supporters encroach onto the field of play.”
The governing body stated that the match was not abandoned, as the referee confirmed the game had ended before the trophy was awarded.
The SPFL reiterated that invading the pitch is “wholly unacceptable” and endangers those involved in the match.
They await the match delegate’s report on any specific incidents.
Celtic FC has been contacted for comment.
