Celtic confirm member of staff hit by glass bottle during Rangers match

Celtic have confirmed a member of their staff was hit by a glass bottle during the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday.

The incident, which has been reported to Police Scotland, occurred at half-time in the match, which Celtic won 2-1, as staff and players were heading up the tunnel to their dressing room.

“We can confirm that a member of our backroom staff was struck by a glass bottle,” a Celtic spokesperson said.

“He required urgent medical treatment and stitches to a head wound. The matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of a glass bottle being thrown at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow during the Rangers v Celtic match on Sunday, 3 April, 2022.

“One man has sustained injuries as a result of this and required treatment.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

In a separate incident, the start of the second half was delayed after another bottle was thrown into Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart’s penalty area, and Ibrox ground staff had to clear the area of broken glass before play could resume.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said that his colleague had not been seriously injured but blasted the “couple of idiots” responsible for the incidents.

“I think he is OK, he had a couple of stitches,” the Australian said. “It is disappointing because this is a fixture that gets beamed around the world, and stands on its own.

“Two teams going at it, first and second spot. You don’t need a couple of idiots ruining it.”

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst echoed his counterpart’s comments when asked about the glass on the pitch.

“Of course it’s not what you want,” he said. “You go out of the locker room and are preparing well for the second half, you want to go. Then you have to wait a couple of minutes.

“It’s never good that due to situations the game has to be stopped. I don’t think it’s a good thing.

“Safety is first and I understand we have to wait for the pitch to be playable for both teams.”