Three men arrested by the police, aged 32, 26 and 22, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal
Thumbs up from Celtic manager Brenda Rodgers as Celtic coast to top of the league.
By Bill Heaney
Three arrests were made at at a packed Parkhead stadium after green, white and orange smoke drifted above the colourful crowd which was restricted to Celtic fans only.
It was such an easy victory for Celtic that their manager Brendan Rodgers was able to introduce three new signings and give substitute James Forrest his 500th game for the hoops who extended their lead over Rangers to five points with a 3-0 win.
Police Scotland have launched an inquiry into the use of pyrotechnics by fans celebrating goals during the match.
Officers who mingled with the crowd in the Jock Stein end of the ground arrested three people, one for possession of a flare, and two for possession of other “prohibited items”.
A spokesperson for the force said the three men will now be reported to the Procurator Fiscal with a view to them appearing in court.
The spokesperson added: “A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with possession of pyrotechnics during a football match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
“A further two men, aged 22 and 26, have been charged in connection with possession of a prohibited item. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
On the park, goals from Oriental duo Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and captain Callum McGregor, who scored with a stunning shot from 25 yards, were enough to send Celtic top of the league on goal difference ahead of Aberdeen.
Meanwhile …
Rangers manager and players confronted by angry fans after loss
Rangers manager Philippe Clement and players, including James Tavernier, were confronted by angry supporters venting their growing frustrations after defeat to Celtic on Sunday.
When the squad arrived back at Ibrox following the 3-0 loss to their Old Firm rivals they were met by a group of irate fans with expletive laden shouts calling them “losers” and “embarrassments”.
Clement was surrounded as he tried to remonstrate with the group and point out that his side had just as many shots on target as Celtic on the day.
But he was told that his side are “one of the worst” in years and “not the standard expected”.
Rangers are yet to win an Old Firm game under the Belgian who has now lost four and drawn one in the fixture since being appointed to replace Michael Beale in October.
The defeat leaves them five points behind Celtic and Aberdeen and a point behind newly promoted Dundee United in the Premiership.
Fans could be heard chanting “sack the board”.