The Scottish football world was thrown into turmoil this weekend after chaotic scenes unfolded during the League Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park. Midway through the second half, large sections of Rangers supporters were seen leaving the stands, with reports suggesting the walkout was triggered by a controversial Celtic chant that erupted while tensions flared both inside and outside the ground.
The shocking moment came as Celtic led the match, eventually winning 3–1 after extra time. What should have been another fierce but controlled Old Firm encounter quickly turned into a spectacle of disorder, with fan anger spilling beyond the stadium and into the streets surrounding Hampden.
The Moment the Atmosphere Turned
According to eyewitnesses and early match footage, the situation began to escalate shortly after Celtic’s second goal in extra time. While the Bhoys celebrated on the pitch, a section of the Celtic supporters launched into a four-word chant aimed directly at their rivals.
The chant, though brief, echoed loudly across the stadium — mocking, taunting, and rubbing salt into Rangers’ wounds as their team’s hopes of a comeback slipped away.
For many Rangers fans, it appeared to be the final straw. Within minutes, cameras caught hundreds of them leaving their seats, some gesturing angrily toward the pitch and others chanting in protest.
Stewards and police were quickly called to the affected areas to manage the sudden exodus, as tensions began to rise among the remaining supporters. The match itself continued, but the energy inside Hampden shifted dramatically — from fiery competition to uneasy chaos.
Crowd Movement and Security Concerns
Reports from the Scottish Police later confirmed that the walkout coincided with disturbances outside the stadium, where large crowds had gathered earlier in the day.
Several videos circulating on social media appeared to show confrontations between small groups of fans and police units outside Hampden. Officers in riot gear were deployed to maintain control, as smoke flares and shouting could be seen in the footage.
Police Scotland released a short statement in the early hours following the match:
“We are aware of incidents involving crowd disorder in and around Hampden Park during the League Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers. Officers responded swiftly to ensure public safety and order. Investigations into isolated incidents of antisocial and threatening behaviour are ongoing.”
While no major injuries were reported, the combined unrest — both in the stands and outside the stadium — forced match organizers to hold post-match discussions with both clubs and the SPFL to assess what went wrong.
Inside the Stands: Fans Voice Their Frustration
Interviews with fans leaving the ground painted a picture of deep frustration and anger. Some Rangers supporters claimed they walked out in protest, accusing match officials and event organizers of allowing the game’s atmosphere to cross a line.
One fan told reporters outside Hampden:
“We can take banter, that’s part of football — but that chant was disgraceful. It went beyond rivalry. When we saw the scenes outside too, a lot of us just felt it wasn’t safe anymore.”
Another added:
“We were already upset with how the match was going, but the chant made it worse. People started arguing, some were crying — it just got ugly really fast.”
By contrast, many Celtic supporters defended their actions, insisting that their chants were “part of the rivalry’s passion” and that the reaction from Rangers fans was an overreaction fueled by frustration over their team’s performance.
SPFL and Police Monitoring the Situation
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has since confirmed that it is reviewing footage from the match and coordinating with Police Scotland to better understand how the situation escalated.
In a brief statement released on Sunday afternoon, the SPFL said:
“We are working closely with match officials, both clubs, and Police Scotland to review the incidents during Saturday’s semi-final. The safety of supporters remains our top priority.
We urge all fans to remember that while rivalry is central to Scottish football, abusive or inflammatory behaviour has no place in our game.”
The statement stopped short of condemning either fanbase directly, but its tone made clear that the governing body is treating the matter seriously.
A Rivalry on a Knife’s Edge
The Old Firm rivalry is renowned — and infamous — for its passion, intensity, and volatility. Yet, despite countless clashes over the decades, incidents like Saturday’s mid-game walkout remain rare.
Pundits and commentators were quick to weigh in, noting that fan behaviour has become an increasing concern in high-stakes fixtures between the Glasgow giants.
Former Scotland international James McFadden told BBC Sport:
“It’s the biggest rivalry in British football, maybe even in the world, but that passion can boil over. You never want to see fans leaving mid-game or feeling unsafe. Both clubs have a responsibility to rein in the extremes.”
Meanwhile, ex-Rangers captain Barry Ferguson said the walkout was “a sign of how raw emotions have become” among fans:
“When you see supporters leaving like that, it shows just how deep the frustration runs. The chant will get all the headlines, but there’s a bigger issue here about crowd control and mutual respect.”
Outside the Stadium: Shocking Scenes Capture Attention
As the match unfolded, chaos outside Hampden intensified. Police officers were filmed intervening as fans clashed near the stadium’s west entrance. Footage shared online appeared to show flares being thrown and barriers being knocked over.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the trouble began when groups of rival fans encountered each other after leaving the stands. Police were forced to close off sections of the surrounding roads as they dispersed the crowds.
Transport Scotland also confirmed that train services in and out of Mount Florida Station were briefly delayed due to crowd congestion and safety checks.
One police officer at the scene described it as a “fast-moving, volatile situation,” though the authorities praised the majority of fans for cooperating once order was restored.
Club Reactions
Both Celtic and Rangers released separate statements late Sunday.
Celtic’s club statement expressed disappointment at the disturbances:
“Celtic Football Club condemns any instances of unacceptable behaviour that overshadow what should have been a proud result for our team. We are cooperating with the relevant authorities to ensure all fans can attend matches safely.”
Rangers took a firmer tone, expressing frustration with the events that led to their supporters leaving the match:
“Rangers Football Club is aware of the significant number of fans who exited the stadium during the second half. We understand that this was in response to concerns about crowd safety and provocative conduct. We have requested a full review from match organizers and the SPFL.”
Both clubs have been asked by the SPFL to submit incident reports outlining their observations and the actions of their respective fan groups.
What Comes Next
The SPFL’s investigation will likely take several weeks to complete. If any breaches of conduct or safety protocols are identified, disciplinary measures could be imposed — ranging from fines to restrictions on ticket allocations for future matches.
Meanwhile, Police Scotland has confirmed it will be reviewing video evidence to identify any individuals involved in the disturbances outside the stadium.
The Scottish Government, which has previously worked with football authorities on fan behaviour campaigns, may also step in to discuss safety measures for future Old Firm fixtures.
Sports law analyst David Maclean said:
“This is not just about one chant or one match — it’s about how authorities manage emotionally charged environments. Stadium safety protocols will need to be reviewed, especially for fixtures of this magnitude.”
A Shadow Over a Classic Fixture
What began as another passionate chapter in the century-old Celtic-Rangers rivalry ended as one of the most contentious nights Scottish football has seen in recent years.
While Celtic celebrated another triumph on the pitch, the headlines have been dominated by the scenes in the stands and the streets around Hampden Park.
For many fans, the image of Rangers supporters walking out mid-game will linger — a rare and symbolic moment that reflects the tension that still surrounds this fierce derby.
As investigations continue and statements keep rolling in, one thing remains clear: Saturday’s events have reignited a national conversation about fan behaviour, rivalry, and the fine line between passion and provocation in Scottish football.
