Celtic have responded to the Scottish FA’s decision to order the club to play its next Scottish Cup home match behind closed doors, with the Hoops insisting that the punishment is disproportionate.

The ruling follows the chaotic scenes that marred Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Rangers at Ibrox in March.

Celtic progressed after a goalless draw was decided on penalties, but celebrations quickly descended into disorder as supporters from both clubs entered the pitch and clashes broke out.

The Scottish FA has now imposed significant sanctions on both clubs.

Celtic Hit With Closed-Door Scottish Cup Punishment

Celtic have been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup fixture behind closed doors.

The club must also pay £100,000 in compensation to the visiting team, reflecting the loss of shared gate receipts.

Rangers have received the same punishment.

The Scottish FA has also warned that any further crowd trouble at a Scottish Cup fixture before the end of the 2027/28 season would trigger another stadium closure.

The decision follows an independent review into the events at Ibrox, which found serious failures surrounding the match and concluded that potentially life-threatening violence had narrowly been avoided.

Celtic Unhappy With the Decision

Celtic have made it clear that they are unhappy with the severity of the sanction.

In their response, the club described the punishment as “disproportionate”, while stressing that it does not defend supporters entering the field of play.

The key argument from Celtic is the distinction between their supporters’ actions and the wider events that followed.

The club also highlighted the fact that Celtic were the away team at Ibrox, meaning responsibility for stadium safety and security did not rest solely with them.

Celtic said the circumstances surrounding the incident should have been taken into account by the disciplinary panel, particularly the context of the initial pitch incursion and the subsequent reaction from supporters of both clubs.

Why Celtic Believe the Punishment Is Harsh

The punishment has sparked plenty of debate among supporters.

There is little argument that supporters entering the pitch was unacceptable. Celtic themselves have acknowledged that point and said the club has repeatedly taken action against fans involved in such incidents.

However, Celtic believe the disciplinary process should have considered the wider circumstances rather than treating the two clubs identically.

The independent review found failings on both sides but also identified differences in how the disorder developed.

That distinction is central to Celtic’s objection.

The club has now said it will consider the full tribunal report before deciding what action to take next.

What Happens Next?

Celtic are expected to study the full reasoning behind the disciplinary decision before deciding whether to pursue any further challenge.

For supporters, the immediate concern is what the closed-door punishment will mean when Celtic next host a Scottish Cup tie.

The sanction will not affect Celtic’s upcoming league or European fixtures. It applies specifically to the club’s next home Scottish Cup match.

Both Celtic and Rangers are due to enter the Scottish Cup at the fourth-round stage in January.

A New Chapter in the Old Firm Rivalry

The SFA’s decision represents one of the strongest disciplinary responses to crowd trouble involving Scotland’s two biggest clubs.

The Ibrox incident has already led to an independent review, disciplinary proceedings and now substantial sporting and financial sanctions.

But Celtic’s response suggests the argument is far from over.

The club accepts that supporters must be held accountable for unacceptable behaviour. At the same time, Celtic believe the punishment imposed on the club fails to properly reflect the circumstances in which the incident occurred.

For now, the focus will turn to the full tribunal report and whether Celtic decide to challenge or otherwise respond to the sanction.

One thing is certain: the fallout from that dramatic Old Firm Scottish Cup clash is not going away anytime soon.

What do you think? Is Celtic’s punishment fair, or has the Scottish FA gone too far? Let us know in the comments.