Celtic Chairman Brian Wilson Fires Ibrox Reminder At Police Scotland

Brian Wilson has responded to criticism from Police Scotland over fan behaviour, insisting Celtic’s operational relationship with police remains “very good”.

The Celtic interim chairman was asked about comments from the Chief Constable, who criticised the club and Scottish football more broadly over what she described as a failure to control fan behaviour.

Wilson made it clear he was disappointed by the general nature of those comments, and suggested Police Scotland should also look at its own handling of major incidents.

Speaking in an interview with Celtic TV, Wilson said: “Well, again, I’m disappointed by these generalisations from the Chief Constable.

“If you boil it down to the specifics of what Celtic do and the relationship we have at an operational level with the police, it’s very good.

“They recognise that, and we will continue to do that.”

Wilson then referenced events at Ibrox, where Rangers supporters entered the pitch, and questioned whether the usual processes were followed at senior level.

He added: “But the Chief Constable should maybe look at her own organisation’s response at a senior level.

“And if you go back to what happened at Ibrox, for example, the mechanism which we have respected and supported through the Safety Advisory Group was not adhered to in these circumstances.

“And that leaves a bit of a vacuum going forward, and I think it’s one that has to be addressed.

“So everyone should look at their own house before they’re too critical of others.”

It is a strong response from Wilson.

Celtic were recently sanctioned by the SPFL over pitch incursions and pyrotechnic use at the end of last season, with the club accepting the punishments handed down.

However, Wilson’s wider point is clear. Celtic do not believe they should be singled out through broad criticism when supporter behaviour and matchday management are issues across the game.

His reference to Ibrox is also strong.

Celtic have supported the Safety Advisory Group process, but Wilson appears to suggest that the same framework was not properly followed in relation to events involving Rangers supporters.

Nobody inside Celtic is defending pitch invasions. Wilson has already accepted that supporters should not be entering the field of play.

But this response shows the club are unhappy with general criticism being directed their way without proper context.

Simply put, Celtic’s position is that responsibility cannot run in one direction.

If clubs are expected to answer for supporter behaviour, then the authorities and Police Scotland must also be open to scrutiny over how major incidents are handled.

Wilson’s message was blunt enough: before criticising others, everyone involved should look at their own house.