Police criticise Celtic over failure to plan title party for fans

Celtic fans let off smoke bombs after gathering in the Trongate area after the club were presented with the Scottish Premiership trophy last May [PA Media] A senior police officer has criticised Celtic for failing to put plans in place for an official title party should the club retain the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. Martin O'Neill's team need to defeat leaders Hearts at Parkhead to win the league for the fifth year in-a-row. In recent years Celtic fans have been involved in anti-social behaviour after gathering in their thousands in the Merchant City and Trongate areas of Glasgow.

As precautionary measures - including the removal of glass from bus stop shelters - were taken on Friday, the club urged supporters to avoid mass gatherings which have a "high impact" on the city. In contrast, Hearts will stage an open-top bus parade through Edinburgh on Sunday if they secure the point needed to win the club's first title since 1960. The winner-takes-all match, which kicks off at 12:30, has been described by manager Derek McInnes as "box office".

But should Celtic triumph there are fears fan celebrations will mirror those of last year, which featured mass street drinking, the use of pyrotechnics and led to 20 arrests . The celebrations appeared to be smaller in scale than the 2024 event, which resulted in 19 arrests and left four officers injured . Celtic fans attend unofficial title party despite club appeal Police arrest 20 people after Celtic title party Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said the force had a comprehensive plan in place that would focus on "minimising disruption to local communities" and avoiding "widespread disorder".

During the closest title race in years, officers have supported Glasgow City Council in discussions with both Celtic and Rangers, who were in contention until they lost to Hearts earlier this month . The final day showdown was confirmed on Wednesday after Celtic defeated Motherwell with a controversial VAR-awarded penalty in the 99th minute. On Friday the Scottish Football Association revealed match referee John Beaton and his family spent the previous night at home under police surveillance after a "leak of personal details online".