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Police officers hurt and cameraman told he’d ‘get slashed’ at illegal Celtic fan protest

Police officers were left hurt and one particular cameraman was told he’d ‘get slashed’ at an illegal Celtic fan protest on Sunday.

Hoops fans gathered in their thousands outside the Celtic Park stadium to call for their manager to be sacked having just been knocked out of the Betfred Cup, a trophy they have won each of the last four years.

They were on the end of a 2-0 defeat against Ross County, with many calling it the final straw, even more so as in the league Celtic remain 11 points behind bitter rivals Rangers and although they have two games in hand, the tension to achieve Ten In A Row means there is little margin for error.

The angry crowd chanted “Lennon get to f***” and “sack the board”, as masked fans were seen clashing with police officers.

And one thug was heard threatening members of the media, who gathered to report on the scenes.

He shouted at a BBC cameraman standing nearby the illegal Celtic fan protest: “If you pick up that camera, you’re getting slashed.”

In some clips, protesters can be seen kicking down fences, swearing at cops and throwing barriers at police vehicles.

Roughly 30 riot vans are on the scene to deal with the crowds and have formed a barrier.

The force’s helicopter is in the air above Parkhead, with roughly 30 police vans present .

Photos and videos have emerged on social media showing fans beginning to register their displeasure at the result and manager Neil Lennon.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf blasted the yobs following ugly scenes outside the stadium.

He tweeted: “Utterly disgraceful scenes outside of Celtic Park from a minority of fans tonight with violence aimed towards police.

“Officers have been front and centre keeping us safe during this pandemic, to treat them this way at any time is shameful, to do it during these times is a disgrace.”

Celtic boss Lennon could hear the shouts as he walked into his post-match media conference and said: “It doesn’t make me feel good obviously. We are not in a good moment.

“The game is a small microcosm of the run we are on: penalty and set-play. We have given the opposition free hits.

“We dominated the game and lacked a bit of quality in the final third.”

Hoops ace Ryan Christie’s post-match interview was shortened after he was ordered to leave during his chat to the press.

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has slammed the fans for flouting the Scottish Government’s Covid laws to attend the illegal Celtic fan protest.

He told Premier Sports: “Listen, I totally understand the fans’ frustration, of course.

“But at the same time, if they are breaking rules and you start breaking laws, then you are overstepping the mark.

“I will always stick up for the fans in terms of they must voice their opinion and they are entitled to voice their opinion as long as they do it in the right way.

“If they are doing it in the wrong way tonight at Celtic Park then it shouldn’t be allowed.”

The scenes were condemned by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “I don’t care if it’s Celtic fans, Rangers fans, Ayr United fans or if they are not fans of football at all, anyone who attacks a police officer is doing wrong and that is pretty despicable.

“I say that across the board regardless of football or any other sporting affiliation.”

 

 

 

Celtic players and staff had to be escorted from the stadium, with the club later condemning the violent scenes. Lennon could hear the angry chants calling for his head from inside the stadium.

Glasgow is currently in level four of the coronavirus alert system, with large-scale gatherings outlawed.

The scenes were condemned by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “I don’t care if it’s Celtic fans, Rangers fans, Ayr United fans or if they are not fans of football at all, anyone who attacks a police officer is doing wrong and that is pretty despicable.

“I say that across the board regardless of football or any other sporting affiliation.”

Police Scotland has now launched an investigation to trace those responsible, with some officers left hurt.

Chief superintendent Mark Sutherland said on the illegal Celtic fan protest: “I was saddened to see the disgraceful and violent scenes at Celtic Park on Sunday evening, it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Three of my officers suffered injuries, albeit minor as a result of the violent behaviour which took place. The chief constable has made it clear that violence towards officers and staff will not be tolerated and I am wholly committed to that within Greater Glasgow.

“We should not forgot that protest of any type is illegal. While we remain in tier four and beyond, the disorder and violence this gathering presented posed a real risk of coronavirus infection to our officers and the wider community with no social distancing in place.

“We have now launched an investigation to identify those who were involved in the disorder and violence towards police officers, players and officials.

“My message is clear, if you are identified as being involved, you will be arrested. Don’t think just because you weren’t arrested last night that you have escaped justice.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information that will assist this investigation to contact us through 101.”

They were put out of the Champions League by Hungarian side Ferencvaros at the start of the season and although they qualified for the group stage of the Europa League the team is already out after four games.

Lennon could hear the shouts as he walked into his post-match media conference, in which he said: “It doesn’t make me feel good, obviously. We are not in a good moment.”

When asked if he would understand if the Celtic board took the decision to remove him on Sunday evening, Lennon responded: “No, I think it’s too soon for that.”

The Green Brigade, a prominent fans’ group, had called for Lennon’s departure before the Europa League exit was confirmed and the demand for change will intensify after a poor display.

Alongside a picture of the banner which read, “save the ten – time to go Neil”, the Green Brigade also released a statement on Twitter.

It read: “Neil Lennon and many of the current Celtic squad have delivered unprecedented success for our club and deserve enormous credit for their achievements.

“However, past accomplishments are not enough to excuse the level of performance and lack of desire we have endured throughout this momentous season.

The Green Brigade held the banner up outside Celtic Park

“Despite having the best squad in the country, the football on display has been dismal, lacking in ideas and belief.

“Many of our best players have disappointed and we have performed poorly both domestically and in European competition, winning only two games from our previous eight.

“Whilst we would love nothing more than to see Neil Lennon win us the championship, we are part of a growing element of the Celtic support that has sadly concluded that he is unable to turn our season around.

“After a decade of unrivalled footballing and financial dominance it is disappointing to find ourselves 11 points off the league summit and virtually out of the Europa League, having failed to make it past even the second round of qualification for the Champions League.

“We appreciate all that Neil Lennon has done for the club and endured in his time in Scotland.

“However there is simply too much at stake to persevere in hope rather than expectation, and a managerial change needs to be made.

“Celtic Football Club is bigger than us all and the good of the club must come first.

“Peter Lawwell and the Celtic board must act now in a bid to save 10-in-a-row as well as their own legacies.

“Should they fail to deliver this title, it will be them who are held to account.”

Fans reacted as police officers were left hurt and a cameraman told he’d ‘get slashed’ at the illegal Celtic fan protest…

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