Celtic fan, 65, dies after falling ill during Champions League qualifier at Celtic Park

Celtic have confirmed the death of a 65-year-old supporter who fell ill during their Champions League qualifying first leg against LASK at Celtic Park on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, and later died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The club released a statement on Thursday evening expressing their condolences. “It is with real sadness that we confirm that one of our supporters has passed away after becoming ill during last night’s match at Celtic Park,” it read. “Despite the efforts of medical staff, tragically, he died later in hospital. We thank the emergency services and fellow supporters within the stadium for all their efforts in dealing with this tragic incident. We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family and we will ensure that we offer them our full support at this extremely difficult time.”

Police Scotland confirmed the timeline of events in a separate statement. “Around 9.05pm on Wednesday, 19 August, 2026, police received a report of a man having taken unwell within Celtic Park, Glasgow,” a spokesperson said. “Emergency services attended and a 65-year-old man was conveyed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.”

The tragedy unfolded on a night when Celtic took a commanding step towards the Champions League league phase, winning 3-0 in the first leg of their qualifier. Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring before Camilo Duran added two goals either side of half-time to put Celtic firmly in control ahead of the return leg in Austria next Tuesday.

The result extended Celtic’s perfect start to the season across all competitions. They had previously beaten Dundee 1-0 in the league, thrashed Kilmarnock 5-1 away, and defeated Dundee United 4-0 in the Scottish League Cup. Manager Martin O’Neill was absent from the touchline for the LASK match while recovering from a minor medical procedure that had required a brief hospitalisation earlier in the week.