Celtic star admits fear of Rangers’ shame game after frantic tunnel dash to avoid ‘nasty scenes.’

Celtic F.C. winger Sebastian Tounekti has spoken openly about the tense and chaotic moments that followed the dramatic Scottish Cup clash against Rangers F.C., revealing he quickly rushed down the tunnel after witnessing troubling scenes at the end of the match.

The highly charged encounter between the two Glasgow rivals concluded with Celtic claiming victory through a penalty shootout, sparking celebrations among their supporters. However, the situation quickly escalated when fans from both sides made their way onto the pitch at Ibrox Stadium.

Celtic players are escorted off the pitch at Ibrox

The events that followed have since prompted the Scottish Football Association to launch an independent investigation into the disorder that unfolded after the final whistle.

Tounekti has now shared his perspective on the incident, explaining what he witnessed in the immediate aftermath of the dramatic match.

A Memorable Match Followed by Disturbing Scenes

Reflecting on the tie, Tounekti described the game itself as a special occasion. The contest had been fiercely contested throughout before ultimately being decided by penalties.

Celtic’s victory sparked jubilation among the travelling supporters, who began celebrating the dramatic win with the players.

However, the mood quickly shifted once more supporters began entering the playing surface.

Tounekti explained that he initially noticed Celtic fans coming onto the pitch to celebrate the triumph with the team. Moments later, however, he saw supporters from the opposing side also making their way onto the field.

That development immediately changed the atmosphere, as players from both sides realised the situation could become volatile.

Quick Escape to the Dressing Room

According to Tounekti, the players wasted little time in heading toward the safety of the dressing room area once they realised what was happening.

The winger admitted that everything unfolded extremely quickly, leaving little opportunity for anyone to pause and consider the situation.

Instead, instinct took over as players rushed toward the tunnel to get away from the growing chaos on the pitch.

Tounekti explained that the scenes unfolding around them were unpleasant and concerning, prompting the squad to prioritise their safety.

Because the situation escalated so rapidly, the Celtic player said he did not have time to fully process what was happening in the moment.

His only reaction was to run toward the dressing room along with his teammates.

Aftermath Revealed in Images

Once the players were safely inside, the full extent of the disorder became clearer.

Tounekti admitted that when he later saw images and footage of the incident, it confirmed that the situation had indeed been serious.

The pictures showed the scale of the pitch invasion and the tense atmosphere that had developed at the stadium.

Looking back on the events, Tounekti acknowledged that the scenes were far from positive and that such incidents are deeply unfortunate for the sport.

The dramatic ending to what had been a thrilling football match was overshadowed by the disorder that followed the final whistle.

SFA Investigation Underway

In response to the incidents, the Scottish Football Association has taken action by launching an independent review into the events that occurred at Ibrox.

The governing body will examine the circumstances surrounding the pitch invasion and assess what measures may be required to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Such investigations typically involve reviewing video footage, security arrangements, and witness accounts in order to understand exactly how the situation unfolded.

The aim is to determine whether improvements can be made to ensure player safety and maintain order at major fixtures.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring with Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti(Image: PA)

Focus Turns to International Football

While the aftermath of the Old Firm clash remains a talking point, Tounekti has also been discussing international football as the summer approaches.

The Celtic player revealed he would relish the opportunity to face his club teammate Benjamin Nygren on the international stage during the upcoming World Cup.

Nygren has been one of Celtic’s standout performers this season, emerging as the club’s leading scorer with an impressive tally of 19 goals.

In addition to his club form, the forward has also found the net once for the Sweden national football team during the current campaign.

His performances have earned him a place in Sweden’s squad for their crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Ukraine national football team.

World Cup Route Could Create Celtic Showdown

The upcoming play-off match will take place in Valencia, Spain, and represents Sweden’s first hurdle on their path toward qualification for the tournament.

If Sweden manage to defeat Ukraine, they would then face either Poland national football team or Albania national football team in a decisive final.

Victory in that match would secure Sweden a place at the World Cup finals.

Interestingly, such a scenario could lead to an intriguing reunion between Tounekti and Nygren on the international stage.

Tounekti represents the Tunisia national football team, and the draw could potentially pit Tunisia against Sweden in their opening match of the tournament.

The game would be scheduled to take place in Guadalupe, Mexico, adding another layer of excitement to the possible encounter between the two Celtic teammates.

Tounekti Praises Nygren’s Outstanding Form

Tounekti has spoken highly of Nygren’s performances this season, emphasising the striker’s remarkable ability to find the back of the net.

According to Tounekti, his teammate has been in outstanding form and has demonstrated a natural instinct for scoring goals.

He highlighted Nygren’s knack for being in the right position at crucial moments during matches.

Even in games where the forward may not see a great deal of the ball or dominate possession, Tounekti noted that Nygren often manages to appear exactly where he needs to be when an opportunity arises.

This sense of timing and positioning has been a key factor behind his impressive goal tally.

Sweden Encouraged to Use Nygren in Play-Offs

Because of Nygren’s strong performances, Tounekti believes Sweden should make full use of his abilities during the upcoming play-off matches.

The Celtic winger suggested that Nygren’s form and finishing ability could make a significant difference as Sweden attempt to secure qualification for the World Cup.

Tounekti also revealed that he and Nygren have already spoken about the possibility of meeting each other at the tournament.

While they share a strong bond as teammates at Celtic, the idea of facing each other as international opponents adds an exciting dimension to their relationship.

Tounekti expressed hope that Sweden successfully navigate the play-offs and earn their place at the finals.

From his perspective, the prospect of lining up against his Celtic colleague on the world stage would be an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Such a meeting would represent a unique moment for both players, highlighting the global nature of modern football and the connections formed at club level that can later be tested in international competition.