Celtic faced trophy presentation kibosh as worried security chiefs threatened to pull the plug

Concerned Hampden security chiefs had threatened to pull Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup pitch presentation.

Callum McGregor did eventually lift the League Cup with his Hoops teammates after Sunday’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Rangers. Officials from the Scottish Professional Football League, however, were warned that the presentation ceremony was on the verge of being scrapped because security staff were struggling to secure the Hampden pitch perimeter.

The main issue was that dozens of Celtic fans had spilled out of the stands behind the goal and surged towards the Hampden pitch, as the jubilant Hoops players were taking their pre-trophy lap of honour. Punters pushed on to the running track and towards the playing surface, where the majority were held back behind the LED boards by stewards and police. Some overzealous individuals tried to make their way onto the pitch but the majority were restrained, while pyro was also let off.

The supporters in that area were also warned by security staff and police that there would be no trophy pitch presentation unless they returned to the stands. The threat was that the fans would miss out on seeing their team lift the cup because the trophy and medals would have to be handed over behind closed doors at Hampden. There was a long delay as police and security staff tried to secure the area.

The other major security concern was that the Rangers players and staff were also waiting in front of the Main Stand ahead of the medal presentation. A lot of the Celtic fans did return to the stands but they were still supporters on the running track when League chiefs hastily started the presentation, although there was an increased police and steward presentation put in place in front