Rangers manager Danny Röhl has spoken about the disorder that followed Celtic’s penalty shootout win at Ibrox, admitting the events after the match should not have happened.
The Scottish Cup tie finished goalless after 120 minutes before Celtic held their nerve from the spot to secure their place in the semi-final. The match itself had been tight throughout, with both teams struggling to create clear chances in open play.
For long spells it was the kind of game expected in a derby at Ibrox. Tackles were strong and neither side wanted to give away space. Celtic stayed organised and defended their box well as the game moved into extra time.
The turning point came when the shootout ended. Celtic players converted their penaltu kicks and the away end celebrated the victory. Some Celtic supporters entered the pitch in celebration near their section of the stadium.
Rangers supporters then appeared to come onto the pitch from another area and moved toward the Celtic end, with clashes breaking out before stewards and police intervened to bring the situation under control.
Röhl was asked about the events in the days after the match and made clear that the scenes should not become part of the fixture.
He said: (Rangers FC YouTube), “Nobody likes to see this.
“I think it was a big part of the game. We didn’t speak about football, we spoke about all the other things around on the pitch, off the pitch.
“It was over 120 minutes, an exciting game, a lot of good emotion on the pitch and off the pitch. This is what we want.
“And then after, the only topic was the situation on the pitch and this should not have happened.
“I think everyone should take responsibility so that we can keep having this.”
The match itself showed why these fixtures draw attention. It was tense and physical, with neither side able to find a breakthrough during normal play.
Penalties then decided the tie. Celtic kept their nerve when the pressure increased.
That result sent Celtic into the semi-final while Rangers exited the competition. The football settled the result, even though the discussion afterwards moved away from what happened during the game.
Keep Reading
