CELTIC failed to produce a "viable" alternative to an unofficial street party to celebrate its title win, according to internal police documents.
The documents, revealed through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request from The Herald, see Police Scotland assistant chief constable Mark Sutherland warning that despite "constructive engagement", the club "did not identify or commit to any viable alternative" to manage crowds at the end of the 2026 season.
In the report, which was shared with the Scottish Government two days before Celtic's final-day clash with Hearts, Sutherland laid out why the force was advocating for a more regulated alternative, saying: "Recent years have seen the title decided in advance of the last game and this has provided an opportunity for supporter planned but unauthorised fan gatherings.
"The title was won by Celtic on each of the last four years with these gatherings at the Merchant City and Trongate areas of Glasgow. Significant levels of alcohol consumption, open drug misuse, pyrotechnic use and general risk-taking behaviour have been witnessed on each occasion.
"Disorder has included assaults, public order offences, vandalism and anti social behaviour. Clean up costs have exceeded £100,000 in some years and multiple officers have been injured.
"These celebrations have drawn widespread criticism from local residents, businesses and community councils. "
In May, thousands of fans gathered in Merchant City to celebrate Celtic's title win and 3-1 victory over Hearts.
A major policing operation was triggered when violence began to break out among the crowd. Police equipped with riot gear were sent to clear the streets.
Officers were reportedly attacked with bottles and other thrown objects and were subjected to verbal abuse.
Fourteen arrests were made on the day, with this rising to 19 after subsequent investigations. Over the last week, Police Scotland has released three batches of 28 images of people it hopes to speak to about the disorder.
Similar scenes of disorder were seen in 2025, after which the report states that then justice secretary Angela Constance hosted a discussion where "both Old Firm clubs agreed to work with partners to find a solution".
It adds: "Glasgow City Council led a number of meetings with both Old Firm clubs with Police Scotland in attendance.
"Despite constructive engagement and commitment from Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council over many months, Celtic FC did not identify or commit to any viable alternative."
The documents also reveal that Police Scotland had briefed internally, and to the Scottish Government, that: "emotions and expectations" from fans will "be running high, and the day presents a number of risks and challenges".
It states that "pyrotechnic use is likely around the stadium and outside" and that "it is assumed that celebratory pitch incursions are likely during and especially after the match".
The briefing continues that "a Celtic victory will result in a mass gathering in the Merchant City and Trongate area of Glasgow".
In response, Celtic FC dismissed the claim that by not organising an official fanzone the club influenced the street-party disorder.
A spokesperson said: “It simply isn’t credible to think that people who want to fight among themselves, vandalise buildings and infrastructure and throw bottles at the emergency services will attend a fanzone – or that any responsible organiser would consider letting them in.”
They added: “Glasgow is unique in Europe in that a team from the city has won the league every season for the last four decades.
“This means we are likely to have fans celebrating in most years and, while the city has offered clubs senior technical support, it is clearly not possible for the council to bear that cost.
“We have been working with the city’s two biggest clubs for the last year to look at how we reduce unacceptable ad-hoc celebrations.
“Although the behaviour of a minority of supporters on Saturday was deplorable, the numbers attending Trongate and Merchant City were significantly down on previous years.”
