There is one detail tucked inside the report of Sheriff Bowen that is of great interest to Celtic supporters.
After factually going through the events at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final it was predictable that Sevco would be squealing that ‘it isnae fair’.
Having defended their season ticket holders right to enter the pitch ‘in self defence’ and excused the anti-catholic hate songs it seems that there is nothing that the current board will criticise their supporters over.
Included in Sherrif Bowen’s report he makes reference, without prompting to intelligence on another pitch invasion involving the dignified fans of Sevco.
In January 2015 under the leadership of Kenny McDowall there was real fear that they were about to witness a hammering from Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden.
After half an hour Celtic were leading 2-0, Sevco had barely got out of their own half, Craig Gordon could have put a hammock up in his goal mouth.
Shortly before half-time Scott Brown sent Leigh Griffiths racing through on goal, for reasons best known to himself Craig Thomson decided to pull play back and award Celtic a free kick for a challenge that had raised no complaints.
According to Sheriff Bowen’s report Police Scotland were prepared for a pitch invasion if a certain scoreline was reached, was that scoreline 3-0 to Celtic in the first half?
According to the Bowen Report: “3.4. Celtic v. Rangers – 1 February 2015 3.4.1. A further match is worthy of mention although no pitch invasion took place.
“This was the Scottish League Cup Semi-Final between Celtic and Rangers held on the 1 st of February 2015 at Hampden.
“On that occasion, the Police had specific intelligence that certain fans intended to invade the pitch in the event of a particular result. Because of that, Police Support Units were maintained in position in the practice area directly under the South Stand.
“In the event the no attempt was made to invade the pitch and the services of the Police reserve were not required.”
Did Craig Thomson know about the consequences of Celtic going 3-0 up or was it only a secret among Police Scotland?