Concerned Hampden security chiefs had threatened to pull Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup pitch presentation.
Callum McGregor did eventually lift the League Cup with his Hoops teammates after Sunday’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Rangers. Officials from the Scottish Professional Football League, however, were warned that the presentation ceremony was on the verge of being scrapped because security staff were struggling to secure the Hampden pitch perimeter.
The main issue was that dozens of Celtic fans had spilled out of the stands behind the goal and surged towards the Hampden pitch, as the jubilant Hoops players were taking their pre-trophy lap of honour. Punters pushed on to the running track and towards the playing surface, where the majority were held back behind the LED boards by stewards and police. Some overzealous individuals tried to make their way onto the pitch but the majority were restrained, while pyro was also let off.
The supporters in that area were also warned by security staff and police that there would be no trophy pitch presentation unless they returned to the stands. The threat was that the fans would miss out on seeing their team lift the cup because the trophy and medals would have to be handed over behind closed doors at Hampden. There was a long delay as police and security staff tried to secure the area.
The other major security concern was that the Rangers players and staff were also waiting in front of the Main Stand ahead of the medal presentation. A lot of the Celtic fans did return to the stands but they were still supporters on the running track when League chiefs hastily started the presentation, although there was an increased police and steward presentation put in place in front of the advertising boards.
League chiefs hastily then moved on with the closing ceremony, handing over medals to the defeated Rangers team and that cleared the way for McGregor and the Celtic team to lift the first trophy of the season.
The pitch encroachment is one of a number of major issues that will be flagged up in the SPFL delegate’ match report when it hits the Hampden desk with an almighty thud. The report from Sunday’s game is expected to flag up a lot of highly controversial issues and flashpoints, including the use of pyrotechnics and anti-social behaviour.
The SPFL issued a statement on Monday confirming that they were liaising with Police Scotland into the use of pyrotechnics by both sets of fans at Hampden and again led to a delayed kick-off. The statement read: “The SPFL is awaiting the match delegate’s report following the game, which will also consider other matters, including the unacceptable encroachment of supporters onto the Hampden Park trackside area during and after the game.”
SPFL chiefs will look into the report, hold their own investigations and then decide what action to take. The Football Safety Officers’ Association Scotland had several members involved in the Hampden showcase and will hold their own debrief.
Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell also fined after pyro was let off over the two Premier Sports Cup semi-finals at Hampden.