CELTIC last night vowed to ban yobs who held a shameful anti-poppy demo at Parkhead.
Club chiefs admitted they were "embarrassed" by the morons who insulted the memory of Britain's war dead at their stadium.
And they promised to hunt down those responsible for the sickening half-time display during the Glasgow giants' 9-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday.
The louts unfurled banners which included the words: "No bloodstained poppy on our Hoops."
Club chairman Dr John Reid, a former Defence Secretary, was said to be furious.
Last night probes were under way by Celtic and the SPL into Saturday's shameful scenes.
A club statement said: "Celtic FC can confirm an investigation is ongoing in connection with the banner unfurled at Saturday's game.
"Those identified as being responsible will be banned from Celtic Park.
"Celtic fans have rightly earned a magnificent reputation for their positive behaviour and backing of the club.
"It is extremely disappointing that the actions of a small minority have embarrassed Celtic and tarnished the club in this way."
Regrettable
A series of seven banners reading "Your Deeds Would Shame All The Devils in Hell. Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan. No Bloodstained Poppy on Our Hoops," were unfurled at half-time.
Club chairman Dr John Reid, a former Defence Secretary, was said to have been deeply offended.
SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said the display was "regrettable".
He added: "We would welcome the fact that Celtic have moved quickly to apologise for any offence that has been caused."
It is thought that extremist members of The Green Brigade fans' group were behind the stunt.
They have already vowed to boycott Celtic's match against St Mirren at the weekend when players from all SPL sides will wear poppies on their shirts St Mirren will have a minute's silence before the game on Remembrance Sunday.
A similar tribute was marred by a small group of Celtic fans at Falkirk last season.
St Mirren general manager Brian Caldwell said: "Surely we wouldn't be doing the right thing by having a minute's applause and therefore cause more criticism?
"We have been having a minute's silence here for years."
Last night the dad of a hero Celtic fan who was killed serving in Aghanistan hit out at the louts who staged the protest.
Billy Monkhouse's son Stephen, 28, right, was killed while with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in Helmand. Billy, 51, showed dignified restraint when he said he was "disappointed".
He went on: "Having lost my son in Afghanistan in the British Army, we would like to think that the families of everybody would be supporting the British Army.
"We are not wet enough behind the ears to think that everybody is going to support the British Army but I'm a bit disappointed to find out that it was Celtic supporters, of which Stephen was one.
"When he was home Stephen would be at Celtic Park - if he could have got a ticket that is.
"I think we as a family are disappointed that they have chosen that aspect and that route to go down."
Celtic's own stadium rules prohibit political demonstrations.
The club's travel partner Thomas Cook have been in touch with the club because their name was visible above the banners.
Charity PoppyScotland has also described the banner as "disrespectful" but chief executive Ian McGregor added: "I don't believe for a moment it reflects the views of the overwhelming majority of Celtic supporters."
The charity called on Scots to "donate as much as possible so that Poppyscotland can continue to deliver life-changing services for Scotland's ex-services community."
Scottish Labour's sports spokesman Bill Butler said: "I praise the swift way the club have responded.
"This doesn't reflect the views of the vast majority of football fans.
"The sacrifice of men and women who have died serving our country unites everybody and deserves to be remembered."
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