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Steven Mair

Ange Postecoglou takes pop at 'idiot' Rangers fan as Celtic staff member requires stitches

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou blasted the "idiots" that marred Sunday's derby at Ibrox by throwing objects at Hoops personnel.

As the teams came out for the second half the restart was delayed by three minutes when keeper Joe Hart informed referee Willie Collum and his own manager shards of broken glass had been hurled from the Rangers end.

And a member of Celtic staff also required stitches for a "head wound" inflicted in a separate incident.

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The visitors won the game 2-1 thanks to goals from Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter-Vickers, in response to an early opener from Aaron Ramsey.

But Postecoglou took a moment to condemn the shocking incidents as he said: "Yeah, they (the staff member) were on the way in.

"I think he is okay, He had a couple of stitches.

“It is disappointing because this is a game that gets beamed around the world and it stands on its own.

"You had two teams going at it in first and second spot and you don’t need a couple of idiots spoiling it.”

Ground staff acted to clear the debris at half-time while plastic cups were seen thrown when winger Jota took a corner and as the players celebrated with away supporters.

A Celtic spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a member of our backroom staff was struck by a glass bottle.

"He required urgent medical treatment and stitches to a head wound. The matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland."

Ally McCoist had earlier branded a broken bottle incident, which delayed the start of the second half of the derby, as “gross stupidity”.

Celtic goalkeeper Hart demanded that the shards be cleared from his penalty area before the restart of the crucial league game could go ahead.

Kick-off was delayed by three minutes as ground staff removed the objects from the pitch.

Former Rangers striker McCoist, working as a co-commentator on Sky Sports, branded the act “gross stupidity” while colleague Andy Walker also hit out.

Former Celtic striker Walker said: "We're trying to sell this game around the world. Shameful anyone would throw anything on to the pitch, let alone a broken bottle."

Dismayed Rangers hero McCoist added: "You think nothing would surprise you any more but dearie me. Gross stupidity."

On Twitter, Chris Sutton wrote: "Absolute scumbags throwing glass bottles onto the pitch. How low can some people go? This is how this game will be remembered now."

Celtic's victory eased them six points clear of Rangers at the top of the league table with only six games remaining.

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