Union Bears banners on display during Glasgow derby after ticket dispute
Several large Union Bears banners were unfurled in the Rangers end at Celtic Park following a dispute between the clubs that ended with the ultras group being banned from the stadium.
Rangers initially rejected Celtic’s conditions that they could not distribute tickets to the group for Sunday’s William Hill Premiership clash and submitted a complaint to the Scottish Professional Football League. They ultimately accepted their allocation of around 2,500 tickets after an SPFL board sub-committee refused to interfere with Celtic’s security measure.
The Union Bears called for all Rangers fans to wear black at Parkhead and many of the travelling fans were in the colour associated with the ultras groups. A large Union Bears banner was unfurled before kick-off and a flag bearing the group’s insignia was flown.
Celtic’s decision followed major disorder following their Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox on March 8. More than 100 Rangers fans, many from the section housing the Union Bears, charged towards the Broomloan Stand after visiting supporters spilled on to the pitch to celebrate and Celtic players and staff were caught up in the pitch invasion. Police made five further arrests in relation to the trouble this week, to take the total number to 26.
Celtic’s major ultras group, the Green Brigade, have only recently been allowed back into their own stadium after a ban that lasted about five months, following an incident involving stewards and police at a game against Falkirk. Rangers branded Celtic’s decision to exclude the Union Bears as a “concerning precedent” and claimed it cut across the “spirit of the competition”.
A resurgent Daizen Maeda delivered a memorable Celtic Park goal on Sunday as the champions cut the gap on William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts to one point with a 3-1 comeback win over Rangers.
Maeda looped an overhead kick into the top corner to net his second goal in four minutes and his sixth in four games.
The Japan attacker had fired Celtic ahead with a first-time finish in the 53rd minute to complete a comeback.
Mikey Moore gave Rangers the lead in the ninth minute before Yang Hyun-jun levelled in controversial circumstances midway through the first half.
The result, coupled with Hearts’ draw at Motherwell on Saturday night, leaves Celtic knowing that even a point at Fir Park will ensure they have the chance to beat Hearts to the title when the two teams meet next Sunday. Hearts’ goal difference advantage is now down to three.
Rangers have been consigned to a third-placed finish following their third-consecutive defeat.