Glasgow City Council has issued a stern rebuke to a faction of Celtic fans, condemning their “unacceptable” behaviour during celebrations for the club’s third consecutive league title.
Following Celtic’s 3-2 victory over St Mirren, a jubilant crowd thronged Glasgow city centre to mark the achievement. While most supporters celebrated peacefully, a series of disturbances marred the festivities, particularly in the Trongate area.
Eyewitness reports and video footage depict scenes of violence, including one incident where a man was knocked unconscious with a single punch. The disruption continued throughout the day, leading to numerous altercations.
The aftermath left Glasgow Cross and its surroundings in a state of disarray, with litter strewn across streets and piles of empty alcohol containers, bags, and broken glass cluttering the area. Significant damage was reported to street infrastructure, including the Mercat Cross building, bus stops, and traffic signals, as fans clambered onto structures during the celebrations.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, city council clean-up teams were deployed to restore order to the affected areas. Their efforts were particularly urgent due to the scheduled Cancer Research UK Race for Life, which was set to take place on routes including Glasgow Green, Saltmarket, and Trongate – all areas significantly impacted by the previous night’s chaos.
A representative for Glasgow City Council praised the clean-up operation as exemplary, noting the substantial amount of debris cleared in a short period. However, concerns were raised over the extent of the damage and the antisocial behaviour exhibited by some fans.
“As the crowds began to leave, a significant amount of litter, debris, and broken glass was left behind in the area around Glasgow Cross. The overnight clean-up was extraordinary, ensuring the route for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life was ready in time for the event this morning,” the representative stated.
The spokesperson highlighted the considerable damage to infrastructure and ongoing assessments to determine the full extent of necessary repairs. “There has been damage to infrastructure such as bus stops and traffic signals, but we do not yet know the full extent of what repairs will be necessary,” the representative added.
The council’s statement criticised the disruptive behaviour, emphasising that such actions are unacceptable and stressing that celebrations should not come at the expense of public safety and respect for the city. “It is unacceptable to cause such damage and disruption. Celebrations should be conducted with basic consideration for others in the city,” the spokesperson emphasised.
The council’s condemnation comes amidst a broader discussion on managing public celebrations and ensuring safety and respect for public spaces. Previous incidents following major sporting events have similarly sparked debates on the balance between joyful gatherings and maintaining public order.
As Glasgow City Council continues to assess the cost of the clean-up and repairs, there is an ongoing dialogue with Celtic FC regarding the incident. The club is expected to address the behaviour of its supporters and potentially collaborate with the council on measures to prevent future occurrences of such disruptions.
The celebrations, despite the chaos, underscore the passionate support for Celtic FC, which has once again demonstrated its dominance in Scottish football. The club’s achievement is commendable, but the accompanying disorder raises pressing questions about public safety and civic responsibility.
In closing, while the success of Celtic FC is a point of pride for many, the aftermath of the celebrations serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behaviour. The city council’s swift response ensured that the streets were cleared in time for the Race for Life, highlighting the resilience and dedication of the clean-up teams. Moving forward, it will be crucial for all stakeholders, including fans, the football club, and city authorities, to work together to ensure that future celebrations are both joyous and respectful of the city’s public spaces and residents.
