A Celtic fan has admitted being part of a group that clashed with Rangers supporters in a violent city centre disturbance.
Ciaran Wason, now 19, was just 17 when he joined the fracas in Glasgow on December 15, 2024, ahead of the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that 100 Rangers fans, dressed in dark clothing and face coverings, first gathered at a Celtic bar in the Merchant City area, banging on windows before moving towards the city centre.
An equally large group of Celtic supporters, dressed in green and wearing Irish tricolour face coverings, assembled in the city’s Gallowgate. Wason joined them as the groups converged on Argyle Street.
Members of the public were forced to seek safety in nearby shops while police officers drew batons.
Prosecutor Kyle Dalziel described the scene:
“Around 12.30pm, both fans advanced towards each other and were separated by less than 500 metres. Both came together, challenging each other to fight and mass disorder took place. The group which Wason was part of threw lit fireworks, bricks, bottles and other items towards the Rangers fans.”
The disturbance left vehicles unable to move, and terrified members of the public reported being “frightened and scared.”
Police eventually restored order, cordoning off the area. Rangers fans were escorted by train from Glasgow Central to Mount Florida, while Celtic supporters were marched to the stadium on foot.
Wason was arrested at his home on April 3, 2025, at 7am, after police executed a warrant.
He pleaded guilty to a single charge of breach of the peace.
Defence lawyer Mark Chambers told the court:
“He was 17 at the time. There was no individual act attributable to him but he was there. He plans to enrol in a college engineering course.”
Sheriff Shona Gilroy deferred sentencing pending background reports and continued Wason’s bail until next month.