Rangers have released a statement addressing the use of pyrotechnics by their supporters at Celtic Park during Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.

Both Celtic and Rangers had already been sanctioned with a 500-ticket reduction for their next League Cup match at Hampden after previous pyro breaches. With a further 800 tickets under threat, Rangers have slammed those responsible for ignoring warnings.

In their official statement, the club criticised the behaviour of a small section of their support, calling it “frankly embarrassing”, after they were charged for a “racist and/or discriminatory banner”.

The Ibrox club said: “Lastly, and despite clear warnings to the contrary, pyrotechnics were used by two individuals following Sunday’s Old Firm victory at Parkhead. This runs the risk of an additional 800 of our supporters being unable to attend a match in the latter stages of the Premier Sports Cup at Hampden, in addition to the 500 that will already miss out as a result of the use of pyrotechnics.”

Rangers also highlighted concerns over objects being thrown at their players during Sunday’s game.

From my seat, I could see this unfold just after Vaclav Cerny’s controversial water-spraying incident. It is unacceptable under any circumstance and was disappointing to see multiple missiles thrown from the Celtic section.

The club addressed this, stating: “Indeed, our players and staff were targeted with missiles at Parkhead on Sunday.”

Objects being thrown at football matches is a growing trend, but it needs to be stopped. While Celtic fans rightly condemn incidents at Ibrox, like when Arne Engels was hit in the face by an object, it’s necessary to call out our own fans.

With both clubs under increased scrutiny, this latest statement only adds to the ongoing tensions surrounding fan behaviour in Scottish football.