The Scottish Football Association launched an investigation after Rangers and Celtic fans clashed in a “shameful” pitch battle that left police injured after Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Backed by 7500 fans, Celtic beat their Glasgow rivals 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time at Ibrox.
Fighting broke out when dozens of visiting Celtic supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate their victory.
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That sparked an incursion from hundreds of Rangers fans, who attempted to attack their Celtic rivals.
Fans threw missiles and fireworks in ugly clashes before trading insults after police and stewards finally formed a barrier across the pitch.
Police apprehended a man after Celtic players, including Tomas Cvancara, ran to the scene amid an incident involving a Celtic member of staff, who appeared to be confronted by a Rangers supporter.
Cvancara was later interviewed on television with blood stains on his strip, while Celtic right-back Julian Araujo was pushed by a Rangers fan.
“An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol,” the SFA said as they condemned the “behaviour from supporters entering the field of play”.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said the rioting was “shameful” and “must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society”.
She said: “A number of arrests have already been made. Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm.
“Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.”
Speaking live on TV, Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton described the shock incident, saying: “One of the Celtic coaching staff has been attacked by an individual.
“It is an ugly, ugly end to what has been a superb game of football. There is absolutely no need. This is lunacy.”
The ugly scenes came in the first Old Firm derby for almost a decade to feature a large allocation of tickets for away fans.
Following numerous hooligan clashes in previous meetings between the Glasgow rivals, away supporters were banned from the matches in 2023, before being allowed to return on a reduced basis last year.
Celtic had been given fewer than 1000 tickets for games at Rangers since 2018, with the Scottish Cup tie seen as a test for greater numbers of away fans.
On the incident involving his backroom staff member, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said: “As we were making our way back, I think there was some sort of fracas; somebody tried to get on the field.
“There is a natural euphoria about winning a game and about fans joining in. If this has gone too far, that would be disappointing.” O’Neill’s side moved into the semi-finals despite failing to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.
In the shootout, Rangers captain James Tavernier hit the bar with the first penalty before Djeidi Gassama blazed over.
Cvancara converted to seal Celtic’s victory before chaos erupted. “There were a few tete-a-tetes. It’s unfortunate. Hopefully it doesn’t dilute the performance,” O’Neill said.
“Old Firm games are explosive games, they always have been. That’s maybe one of the reasons why the derby is one of the best in the world.”
Rangers boss Danny Rohl added: “I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn’t see it until now. I heard just that there was something on the pitch.
“I think we all know the emotional situation after a game. Nobody likes to see this.”
Despite amassing 24 shots and having a goal wiped out by VAR following a handball by Emmanuel Fernandez in extra-time, Rangers once again stumbled against their hated neighbours.
The defeat was a bitter blow after Rangers blew a two-goal halftime lead in their 2-2 draw with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox last weekend.