NafisaChris Sutton has voiced his frustration with Rangers fans following their behavior during Sunday’s victory over Celtic.
Rangers made the trip to Celtic Park on March 16 and secured a memorable win, with Hamza Igamane scoring the decisive goal.
Barry Ferguson’s squad nearly squandered a two-goal lead but ultimately held on to claim their first Old Firm triumph at Parkhead in three years.
The result was even more significant as it marked the return of away fans to the derby, but Sutton was left unimpressed by the actions of the visiting supporters.
Sutton Criticizes Rangers Fans After Old Firm Win
Emotions were running high heading into the clash, particularly after Rangers’ dramatic penalty shootout victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League just days earlier.
The momentum seemed to fuel the Govan side, who raced to a 2-0 lead before halftime, silencing the home crowd.
Celtic fought back to level the score through Reo Hatate, but the game took another twist when Igamane fired past Kasper Schmeichel to restore Rangers’ advantage.
Following the goal, flares and other objects were thrown, while Vaclav Cerny stirred controversy by spraying water at home fans, leading to tensions near the Rangers dugout.
Sutton, writing in his Daily Record column (March 18, page 50), condemned the behavior of the away fans.
He said: “We’re repeatedly seeing incidents of missiles being thrown, fireworks and flares going off and other carry on. We don’t need players adding to the mayhem. The game sells itself.
“Sunday was a sensational football match and it would have had viewers captivated all over the world. It pretty much always is. We don’t need any more nonsense.”
Rangers Fans’ Influence on the Derby
Regardless of Sutton’s criticisms, Rangers fans played their part in creating an electrifying atmosphere that added to the spectacle.
In a fixture of such magnitude, intense reactions are inevitable. While the throwing of flares and missiles is not excusable, it’s worth noting that similar incidents have occurred at Ibrox with Celtic supporters.
This has been a recurring theme in previous Old Firm encounters, including earlier this season.
Despite the controversy, Ferguson’s team delivered where it mattered most—on the pitch—securing a crucial victory under their interim manager.
It remains to be seen whether the G51 club will face any disciplinary action following Sutton’s concerns in the coming days or weeks.
Nafisa
