Police Scotland has arrested and charged four men following a coordinated operation into disorder that broke out in Glasgow city centre after Celtic clinched the Premiership title in May. The men, described as two aged 30, one aged 25 and a 21-year-old, were detained at five addresses across Springburn, Govanhill, Blantyre and Bothwell during what officers called a "pre-planned day of action". Their arrests bring the total number of people held in connection with the disorder to 24.
According to The Herald, the offences under investigation include assault, culpable and reckless conduct, breach of the peace and fireworks offences.
What happened during the disorder in May?
Trouble flared in the Trongate area of Glasgow on Saturday 16 May 2026 after roughly 3,000 supporters gathered to mark Celtic's fifth consecutive Scottish title, secured with a 3-1 win over Hearts. Officers in riot gear were deployed to clear the streets after bottles and other missiles were thrown at them. Two police officers were seriously injured and three members of the public required hospital treatment as a result of the disorder.
How is the investigation being carried out?
Police Scotland has named the inquiry Operation Gristaline, according to an official Police Scotland statement, and is urging anyone with relevant footage or images to submit them through the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) or by calling 101 and quoting the operation name.
Supt Derrick Johnston said the latest phase of activity followed weeks of preparation and signalled that detectives would keep pursuing those responsible.
"Today's operation is the result of extensive work over a number of weeks and we will continue to carry out inquiries. I hope this day of action makes it clear to those involved that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice. Significant inquiries remain ongoing into this disorder which impacted communities, businesses, police officers and supporters. I would urge anyone with any information to contact us."
How does this connect to earlier police appeals?
The latest charges follow a series of public appeals in which officers released images of supporters they wanted to identify. Detectives had already released images of 28 fans they wished to interview, before issuing a further set that our earlier coverage described in a follow-up appeal for 28 more supporters. A subsequent appeal, detailed in a third round of CCTV images covering 27 additional supporters, brought the total number of people police wanted to speak to up to 83.
Police had previously indicated they expected the number of arrests to keep rising as CCTV footage and material submitted by the public was reviewed, according to a report from a national broadcaster's coverage of the investigation.
What happens next?
The two 30-year-old men and the 21-year-old are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 13 August 2026, while the 25-year-old is scheduled to appear at the same court on 26 August 2026, according to The Herald. Police Scotland says significant enquiries remain ongoing, meaning further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
The force's operation was supported by the Greater Glasgow Division Violence Reduction Unit, underlining that the inquiry remains active well over two months after the initial disturbance. Celtic had urged supporters not to hold an unofficial gathering the day before the title-clinching match, but the crowd still assembled in large numbers. A similar celebration the previous year had led to 19 arrests, injuries to four police officers and an extensive clean-up operation.
Key Facts
- Four men — two aged 30, one aged 25 and a 21-year-old — were arrested and charged in a coordinated operation across Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
- The disorder occurred in Glasgow's Trongate area on 16 May 2026 after Celtic secured a fifth successive Premiership title.
- Two officers were seriously injured and three members of the public needed hospital treatment.
- The investigation, named Operation Gristaline, has now led to 24 arrests in total.
- Court appearances are scheduled for 13 August and 26 August 2026 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
