ALMOST 100 ultras were denied entry to yesterday’s Old Firm clash at Celtic Park after refusing to be searched for weapons and pyros.
Cops were granted special powers ahead of the game allowing them to stop anyone they suspected of planning trouble.
Rangers fans gathered near the Emirates Arena two hours before kick-off[/caption]
A heavy police presence escorted one group away from the ground[/caption]
Celtic ultras group the Green Brigade were stopped on London Road[/caption]
And 90 fans were last night reported to prosecutors for failing to comply.
Cops said they were part of a group “that posed a threat to safety”.
They added that “pyrotechnics were disposed of causing a fire” as the group was being held by officers.
Police Scotland were unable to confirm if the 90 ultras were Rangers or Celtic fans.
Ahead of the match Rangers’ Union Bears were held for nearly three hours by around 100 police before being marched away and denied entry to see their team win 3-2 at Celtic Park.
It’s claimed some had refused to remove masks covering their faces.
And the Hoops’ Green Brigade were also surrounded by officers with claims they were also shut out by officers ahead of kick off.
Inside the stadium empty seats could be seen where Green Brigade ultras normally stand.
And tempers frayed in the home end with some Celtic supporters seen remonstrating with stewards and banging on the visitors’ dugout after Gers’ winger Vaclav Cerny sprayed them with a water bottle as he celebrated his side’s late winner.
Around 2,400 Gers diehards cheered their side onto victory after the Old Firm ban on away fans was lifted for the first time in 26 months.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan, who led the policing operation, said: “It was necessary to apply containment tactics to maintain public safety and deal effectively with those intent on disruption or non-compliance with relevant legislation, including powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
“As a result, some groups of supporters missed the game, but that was their choice.
“Our priority is and always will be the safety of fans in and around the stadium and the general public in the wider city.
“To support that, enforcement of Section 60 and other legislation was undertaken proportionately, with search powers being enacted in a targeted manner.
“Non-compliance with the Section 60 powers resulted in 90 people being reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Others have been arrested or reported for other offences, including the assault of a police officer.
“A significant number of pyrotechnics were seized or prevented from entering the stadium, which again demonstrates the disregard that some supporters have for the safety of others.
“We will continue to work with partners, including the clubs, to improve safety and order and to ensure that the sporting event is the real focus.”
A source said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many police in one place.
“They surrounded the Union Bears and wouldn’t let them move.
“Down the road the Green Brigade were surrounded by a ring of cops.
“Both sets of fans were frustrated at not being allowed to get in the stadium.
“It’s not clear if they all had tickets or not.
“People were saying they were held because for so long because they refused to remove face coverings.
“Police obviously wanted to make sure there was as little bother as possible.”
Hundreds of officers closed roads and formed a human cordon to keep the city rivals segregated outside the ground in Glasgow’s east end.
Groups could be seen jeering at each other across the ranks of cops.
Dozens of marked police vans and cars lined the nearby streets while a helicopter hovered overhead.
Nearby, scores of Green Brigade supporters were also stopped and surrounded.
They unfurled a banner hailing the 10-year anniversary of fellow ultras Bhoys Celtic.
Inside the stadium many seats in the north curve normally occupied by members were empty.
One police officer refused to explain why fans had been turned away but said: “There is a plan in place.”
Rangers fans were celebrating a win inside Celtic Park for the first time since 2019[/caption]
Rangers players celebrated in front of 2,400 fans at full-time[/caption]
Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson and his coaching team of ex-Ibrox stars Allan McGregor, Neil McCann and Billy Dodds were booed heavily by the waiting Hoops faithful as they arrived.
Home supporters were later seen banging on the walls of their dugout and arguing with security guards and cops after Rangers substitute striker Hamza Igamane put his side back in front with only two minutes of regulation time to play.
On-loan winger Cerny was seen running past and spraying a water bottle as he celebrated the late winner.
Away fans have been blocked from Old Firm league games since January 2023.
The clubs became embroiled in a tit for tat dispute which saw them cut each other’s allocations in favour of selling more season tickets.
A deal was brokered to bring supporters back 12 months ago but only put in place for this month’s clash.
We told on Saturday how police were bolstered with extra stop and search powers ahead of the tie in a bid to ensure it passed without trouble.
These included being able to unmask ultras hiding their identities behind masks and hoods.
Force chiefs were backed after disorder marred December’s Old Firm League Cup final at Hampden when yobs from both sides rampaged through Glasgow city centre ahead of kick off.
Police Scotland were contacted for comment.
Celtic FC were contacted for comment.
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