CELTIC fans were involved in a tense stand-off with cops yesterday after a flare was set off during their Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Officers quickly moved in to the crowd to nab the yobs responsible.
But members of the controversial Green Brigade supporters' group stopped them by shielding the suspects.
One fan said: "The cops tried to remove one of the young boys but the Green Brigade were having none of it.
"He was asking the cop why he was being led out but the officer wouldn't tell him. So he just said 'Well, I'm not going then'."
Over 100 Green Brigade fans walked out in protest.
Cops later nicked four men in connection with setting off a "smoke bomb" during Celtic's 4-0 win over Aberdeen.
But they denied the arrests were a dress rehearsal for a 'snatch squad' who will clamp down on sectarian singing at the Easter Sunday Old Firm derby.
A spokeswoman said: "There were no snatch squads. Officers went into the crowd to arrest a number of people."
The Green Brigade have divided opinion among Hoops fans.
Last year they caused fury with an anti-poppy banner.
18/4/2011
Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3532254/Celtic-fans-and-cops-in-tense-stand-off-during-Scottish-Cup-semi-final-at-Hampden.html#ixzz1JrSJL4Zk
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