ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Celtic’s trip to Ibrox is less about tactics and more about temperament. With no away fans allowed and Police Scotland delivering a general behaviour warning, Martin O'Neill knows the real battle will be keeping his players composed in a cauldron where even celebrations are policed. The absence of the usual away roar strips the fixture of its familiar pressure valve, placing greater onus on internal discipline.
O'Neill’s admission that he’s “nervously and excitedly looking forward to it” reveals a manager acutely aware that his side’s recent dominance — six straight Premiership wins — means nothing if tempers flare. The police intervention isn’t just about past pitch invasions or excessive joy; it’s a pre-emptive strike against the kind of indiscipline that could unravel a team built on control. Sinisalo or Johnstone in goal won’t matter if the back line loses its shape chasing phantom slights.
The one thing to watch is whether Celtic can maintain their structured, high-pressing approach without the emotional crutch of away support — and without conceding avoidable fouls that hand Rangers opportunities in and around the box.
Celtic face Rangers at Ibrox in Sunday's League Cup quarter-final; there will be no away fans after SPFL ruling; Mika Baur is available for the Hoops despite missing training; Martin O'Neill's side have won all six of their Premiership games this season
Friday 11 September 2026 15:28, UK
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Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admits it will be strange to face Rangers at Ibrox with no away fans after the SPFL imposed a ban
Martin O'Neill revealed Celtic were given a "general behaviour" warning by Police Scotland ahead of Sunday's League Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox.
There will be no Hoops fans in the 50,000-capacity stadium at the order of the authorities amid a ticket allocation spat between the two Glasgow giants.
The spat is partly a result of the last Old Firm clash in Govan in March, which was marred by fans' disorder as Celtic won the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes.
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Image:There will be no Celtic fans at Sunday's Old Firm game
The two clubs have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors and have also been handed a £100,000 compensation bill, paid to whichever team is drawn as the away side in their next respective fixtures in that competition.
The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.
O'Neill said: "We had the police come in today, just a little 15-minute meeting with us, just reminders of our behaviour, which I think is actually a timely reminder. It's a good thing as well.
"I think it's the overall picture. Gosh, it'd be nice to have something to celebrate. I think it's just general behaviour from us.
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Image:Fans stormed the pitch after last season's Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox
"They didn't mention this but I would have assumed that one of the things that they considered is what happens on the field of play, because these things can be taken further.
"You don't want any sort of punch-ups for a start; secondly, you don't want too excessive celebrations, stuff like that, if that was the case.
"I mean, I'd be delighted to be celebrating something in the game. But it's the behaviour in the light of what has happened in recent fixtures."
O'Neill, who confirmed midfielder Mika Baur will train on Saturday after missing training on Friday with a knock, has yet to decide whether late summer signing Sam Johnstone keeps his place in goal or makes way for Viljami Sinisalo, who started the season as number one.
Image:Mika Baur is available for Celtic despite missing training on Friday
Experienced England international Johnstone, on loan from EFL Championship club Wolves, made his Hoops debut in the 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night but O'Neill was coy about the trip to Govan.
Image:Viljami Sinisalo (L) and Sam Johnstone at a Celtic training session
He said: "I haven't made my mind up at all. It was a matter of getting a look at what Sam can do.
"It's great to have the two of them. Big Viljami has done exceptionally well for us and it was just, again, an opportunity to see what Sam can do now.
"What he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic; what he can do now might be a totally different picture. I will let them know first."
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