The match was chaos. What surrounded it was worse.
Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 at Parkhead today. Daizen Maeda scored a stunning overhead kick. The title race is still alive.
But that’s not the story you haven’t heard.
Before kickoff: Banned but not broken.
The Union Bears were banned from Celtic Park. Celtic refused to sell them tickets after the March 8 Ibrox violence — a day that left a steward injured, a female police officer kicked to the ground, and a 10-year-old child hit by a coin .
The SPFL backed Celtic. The Union Bears “volunteered” to stay home so other Rangers fans could go .
Then today happened.
Dozens of Rangers fans still showed up outside Celtic Park. They were turned away. Then police on horseback chased them down .
Inside the stadium: The banner that shouldn’t have been there.
Despite the ban, a hug Union Bears banner was unfurled in the Rangers end. A massive flag bearing the group’s insignia flew over the away section .
Many visiting fans wore all black — just as the Union Bears had urged in a secret message that leaked online days earlier .
The match: Celtic’s statement win.
On the pitch, Celtic did what they had to do. Daizen Maeda scored twice, including an overhead kick that will be replayed for years. Yang Hyun-jun also found the net .
Mikey Moore gave Rangers an early lead. Youssef Chermiti — who said before the game that he “enjoys these matches” — assisted the opener and caused problems all afternoon .
But it wasn’t enough. Rangers have now lost three straight league games and will finish third .
After the final whistle: The fallout continues. arrests now stand at 26 .
Strict rules banned face masks from entry .
And somewhere, the Union Bears are already planning their next move.
The bottom line.
The Old Firm is never just about football. Today proved that again.
Before kickoff: banned fans, police on horseback, and a banner that got through anyway.
During the match: a 3-1 Celtic win and a goal of the season contender.
After the final whistle: more arrests and a fanbase wondering what comes next.
Some things didn’t feel real today.
But they all happened.
