Celtic and Rangers fans clash as Ibrox pitch invasion mars Scottish Cup tie

The teams battled out a goalless draw across 120 minutes before Celtic emerged 4-2 winners in the penalty shoot-out with Tomas Cvancara slotting home the winning kick after James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama missed for Rangers.

But the celebrations were marred by ugly scenes at full-time as both sets of fans invaded the pitch with players and staff forced to rush down the tunnel to safety.

It followed earlier reports of Celtic supporters storming a turnstile ahead of kick-off while images surfaced online of offensive graffiti relating to the 1972 Ibrox disaster sprayed on walls inside the stand.

The trouble escalated at full-time with dozens of Celtic fans storming onto the pitch to celebrate victory after the penalty shoot-out success.

A large contingent of Rangers fans then followed onto the pitch with skirmishes breaking out and flares thrown as the situation threatened to get out of hand.

Police and stewards were quickly on the scene to form a barrier and within a few minutes the crowd had been dispersed with order restored. However, both clubs are likely to face repurcussions from the Scottish Football Assocation, which has launched an investigation.

A statement from the governing body read: “The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium. An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”

Former Scotland international Charlie Adam, speaking on talkSPORT, branded the scenes a “disgrace”.

“It’s a sad day for Scottish football,” he said. “For the Old Firm that we talk about being our leadership teams and (what) they represent, it’s an embarrassment for our game.

“And as a national team we’re trying to improve and we’re trying to get better. But these two clubs have let us down as a nation and they have to have a look at themselves today.

“Both football clubs have to look at themselves because they are the standard-bearers for us as football clubs and they have, both (sets of) supporters have let themselves down.

“It’s an embarrassment for Scottish football. This should not be happening. In this day and age this should not be happening and we have to get control of it quickly because if it doesn’t it’ll keep escalating and escalating and there’ll be big, big problems.”

Celtic join Falkirk and Dunfermline in the semi-final hat and will found out who they will face in the final four at Hampden when the draw is made after the last remaining quarter-final tie between St Mirren and Partick Thistle on Sunday evening.