GLASGOW — The Scottish Football Association has launched an investigation after Rangers and Celtic fans clashed in a "shameful" pitch battle that left police injured after Sunday's Scottish Cup quarterfinal.

Backed by 7,500 fans, Celtic beat its Glasgow rival 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time at Ibrox.

Fighting broke out when dozens of visiting Celtic supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate their victory.

That sparked an incursion from hundreds of Rangers fans, who attempted to attack their Celtic rivals.

Fans threw missiles and fireworks in ugly clashes before trading insults after police and stewards finally formed a barrier across the pitch.

Police apprehended a man after Celtic players, including Tomas Cvancara, ran to the scene amid an incident involving a Celtic member of staff, who appeared to be confronted by a Rangers supporter.

Cvancara was later interviewed on television with blood stains on his strip, while Celtic right-back Julian Araujo was pushed by a Rangers fan.

The SFA said an investigation will be carried out immediately as it condemned the "behavior from supporters entering the field of play".

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said the rioting was "shameful" and "must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society".

She said: "A number of arrests have already been made. Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm.

"Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed."

The ugly scenes came in the first Old Firm derby for almost a decade to feature a large allocation of tickets for away fans.

Following numerous violent clashes at previous meetings between the Glasgow rivals, away supporters were banned from the matches in 2023, before being allowed to return on a reduced basis last year.

Celtic had been given fewer than 1,000 tickets for games at Rangers since 2018, with the Scottish Cup tie seen as a test for greater numbers of away fans.

"There is a natural euphoria about winning a game and about fans joining in. If this has gone too far, that would be disappointing," Celtic boss Martin O'Neill said.

O'Neill's side moved into the semifinals despite failing to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes.

In the shoot-out, Rangers captain James Tavernier hit the bar with the first penalty, before Djeidi Gassama blazed over. Cvancara converted to seal Celtic's victory.

"Old Firm games are explosive games, they always have been. That's maybe one of the reasons why the derby is one of the best in the world,"O'Neill said.

Rangers boss Danny Rohl added:"I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn't see it until now. I think we all know the emotional situation after a game. Nobody likes to see this."

AFP