Rangers and Celtic played out a thrilling Old Firm derby on Sunday, with a 3-3 draw leaving the Scottish Premiership title race on a knife edge.
Both sides came into the game knowing that a win would give them control of their own destiny. However, with a game in hand over their rivals, Rangers knew that a draw would also be enough to put their fate in their hands.
Early on, it seemed as though Celtic were on course for a decisive victory at Ibrox, with the Hoops 2-0 up after just 34 minutes away from home. To their credit, Rangers fought back, and the game was finely poised at 2-1 entering the closing stages.
A thrilling last few minutes saw Rangers equalise through Abdallah Sima on 86 minutes before Irishman Adam Idah restored Celtic's lead just a minute later. Rabbi Matondo's stunning strike three minutes into injury time ultimately saw Rangers take a share of the points.
It was a rip-roaring game at Ibrox but a nasty first-half incident has now come to light which overshadows what had been a thrilling contest on the pitch.
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Celtic condemn Rangers fans for glass bottle thrown at Matt O'Riley
Celtic's second goal came through an outrageous panenka penalty by star man Matt O'Riley. With no away fans in attendance, the Dane's spot kick completely silenced the Ibrox crowd, as Celtic took what initially seemed set to be a decisive 2-0 lead.
However, in a nasty incident, video footage from the stands clearly shows a glass bottle being thrown in O'Riley's direction from the crowd in the immediate aftermath of his cheeky penalty.
🚨BREAKING🚨
Celtic have today come out and condemned another incident at Ibrox where this time Matt O’Riley was targeted by a glass bottle.
Club Spokesperson: 'It has been confirmed today that a glass bottle was thrown at Matt at yesterday’s match. The repeated targeting of… pic.twitter.com/mhy6x5Yr64— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) April 8, 2024
Though tensions always run high during the Old Firm, there is no excuse for such shocking actions, and Celtic have rightly released a statement resoundingly condemning the apparent actions of the perpetrators.
A club spokesperson said:
It has been confirmed today that a glass bottle was thrown at Matt at yesterday’s match. The repeated targeting of our players and staff with missiles is quite appalling and completely unacceptable.
We have already raised our serious concerns with Rangers and understand that police are investigating the matter.
The incident involving the Celtic star and the home fans draws a disappointing cloud over what had been a thrilling game in the midst of an equally thrilling title race.
There were no Celtic fans present in Ibrox for Sunday's game due to a long-running feud dating back to August 2021, when Rangers rescinded their offer of 700 away tickets for the first Old Firm of the season. Away fans have been absent from the fixture ever since, though the move is set to be undone ahead of next season.
Rangers now have the initiative in the Scottish Premiership title race. Though they sit a point behind Celtic, they have a game in hand over their bitter rivals.
The sides are set for a final meeting of the season at Celtic Park during the run-in, in a game which is set to decide the destination of the Scottish Premiership trophy.
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