Scotland’s First Minister has issued a serious warning to Celtic supporters ahead of today’s Scottish Cup Final — making it clear that any repeat of last weekend’s disorder “will not be tolerated.”
Speaking before Celtic’s clash with Dunfermline at Hampden, First Minister John Swinney condemned the violence that followed the club’s recent title celebrations and urged supporters to avoid any further chaos.
“There is absolutely no justification for any form of disorder or violence in and around a football match,” Swinney said, adding that the scenes witnessed after Celtic sealed the Premiership title were “appalling” and “cannot be repeated.”
The warning comes after major disorder erupted in Glasgow following Celtic’s title celebrations last weekend. Large crowds gathered in the city centre after fans invaded the pitch at Celtic Park, with police later forced to respond to violent scenes in the Trongate area.
According to reports, missiles including glass bottles were thrown at officers during the disorder, leaving two police officers seriously injured. Multiple arrests have already been made as investigations continue.
Swinney directly addressed the minority of supporters involved in the violence, urging them to “desist” and instead celebrate responsibly like the vast majority of fans.
The strong message from government officials has only increased the pressure surrounding today’s final. Security is expected to be extremely tight at Hampden, with police determined to prevent another outbreak of disorder if Celtic secure more silverware.
Former justice secretary Angela Constance also warned that “no punishment is off the table” following last weekend’s incidents, while Glasgow City Council reportedly rejected calls for a dedicated fan zone due to safety concerns.
Now, with Celtic chasing another trophy, attention is not only on the football — but also on what happened outside the stadium.
Police remain on high alert.
And supporters have been warned: any repeat of last weekend’s violence could bring serious consequences.
