Brian Wilson releases statement as Celtic responds to Scottish FA’s independent review.

Celtic have issued an official response after the Scottish Football Association released its independent review into the events that unfolded following the Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox earlier this year.

The review, which runs to 37 pages, examined the incidents that took place after Celtic defeated Rangers in a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in March. The match ultimately proved to be a key step in Celtic’s successful Scottish Cup campaign, with the club going on to lift the trophy and complete a domestic league and Scottish Cup double last season.

Celtic have issued a statement in response to the Scottish FA independent review (Image: Shutterstock)

Following publication of the findings, interim Celtic chairman Brian Wilson welcomed the report, describing it as a comprehensive document that offers important observations for everyone involved in Scottish football. While acknowledging that the club does not agree with every conclusion reached, Wilson stressed that Celtic accepts the need to learn from the review and remains committed to improving safety standards.

The Scottish FA has already taken disciplinary action in relation to the events. Both Celtic and Rangers have been served with notices of complaint under disciplinary rule 37, with formal hearings scheduled for Thursday, August 13, when both clubs will answer the charges arising from the incidents.

In his response, Wilson praised the work carried out in producing the report, saying it presents valuable recommendations and serves as an opportunity for all stakeholders to reflect on how similar situations can be prevented in the future. He noted that the document places the safety of supporters, staff and everyone attending football matches above every other consideration, a principle he said aligns fully with Celtic’s long-standing approach.

Wilson also highlighted that Celtic had expressed significant concerns regarding elements of the matchday planning before the fixture even took place. According to him, those objections were communicated clearly in advance, indicating the club had already raised issues surrounding preparations ahead of the highly anticipated Old Firm encounter.

Although Wilson acknowledged that Celtic disputes several aspects of the report’s conclusions, he insisted that the club is not attempting to dismiss the criticisms directed towards it. Instead, he said the findings should be viewed constructively, with every organisation involved recognising the potentially serious consequences of failing to address the lessons identified in the review.

One of the key areas where Celtic differs from the report concerns the pitch invasion by some visiting supporters after the final whistle. Wilson argued that the incident should not be categorised as a major or threatening event because, in the club’s view, it involved only a relatively small group of supporters and was not accompanied by violence.

While defending that position, Wilson drew a clear distinction between the actions of those Celtic supporters and what he described as the behaviour of a section of the Rangers support after the match. He expressed deep concern over reports that some home supporters were masked and carrying weapons, while also referencing attacks directed at Celtic supporters and club staff following the conclusion of the game.

Wilson said those incidents were far more troubling and questioned decisions surrounding the policing strategy implemented on the day. In particular, he expressed confusion over why recommendations previously made by Glasgow City Council’s Safety Advisory Group were not ultimately followed, claiming those measures had instead been overturned by senior figures within Police Scotland.

According to Wilson, that decision created uncertainty over the authority and role of the Safety Advisory Group, which had previously been understood to hold an important position in coordinating safety arrangements for major football fixtures. He welcomed one of the review’s recommendations calling for the status and authority of Safety Advisory Groups to be formally recognised and strengthened in future planning.

The interim chairman also made clear that, despite the match taking place away from Celtic Park, the club would carefully examine every relevant recommendation contained within the review. He said Celtic intends to identify any lessons that could improve its own operations while continuing to cooperate fully with football authorities and other agencies responsible for ensuring supporter safety.

Wilson emphasised that improving safety should remain the central objective for every organisation connected with Scottish football. He suggested that no club or governing body should ignore the findings, given the potentially serious implications for supporters, players and staff if identified issues are left unresolved.

Celtic’s initial statement accompanying Wilson’s comments also reflected on the significance of the match itself. The club noted that the Scottish FA had officially published the independent review into the post-match events from the Rangers versus Celtic Scottish Cup quarter-final played at Ibrox in March.

The statement also pointed out that Celtic emerged victorious after a tense penalty shoot-out before continuing their successful run in the competition. That triumph eventually culminated in the Hoops lifting the Scottish Cup trophy, securing a domestic double after also winning the Scottish Premiership title during the same campaign.

With disciplinary hearings now approaching, attention will soon shift to the Scottish FA process, where both Glasgow clubs will respond to the notices of complaint issued against them. Meanwhile, Celtic maintain that while they are prepared to accept legitimate criticism and adopt recommendations aimed at improving safety, they continue to disagree with certain conclusions within the independent review, particularly regarding the nature of the post-match pitch incursion and the decisions made by policing authorities before and after the fixture.