Celtic condemn fans behaviour as Neil Lennon and players 'left shaken' after being 'targeted by missiles'

Celtic have condemned the behaviour of their supporters after manager Neil Lennon and his players were pelted with objects thrown by an angry mob after the Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County.

A large police presence as Celtic fans gather outside Celtic Park after a Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County on November 29, 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Two police officers were also injured after hundreds of fans defied strict lockdown rules to congregate outside Celtic Park after the 2-0 defeat, scenes which Scotland’s Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf condemned as “utterly disgraceful”.

Some supporters were seen charging at security fences and clashing with security staff as players departed the stadium in a convoy of cars.

Now the club have spoken out against the rioting and promised a full investigation after revealing that the players and management team have been left shaken by the incident.

A Celtic statement read: “Everyone at the Club is hugely disappointed by this afternoon’s result, one which has ended our phenomenal run of 35 consecutive cup victories.

“While we sincerely share the huge disappointment of all Celtic supporters, there can be no excuse for some of the violent scenes at Celtic Park this evening. The Club will be investigating these events fully.

“For players and a management team, who have given so much in recent years and have delivered 11 consecutive trophies, to require an escort from Celtic Park while being targeted with missiles, is simply unacceptable.

“While we understand that only a small number of people were involved in this behaviour, some of the actions this evening, which have obviously left our own players shaken, cannot be condoned in any way.”

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