Who is Mark Hargreaves? Celtic’s controversial Head of Safety, Security and Operations

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Mark Hargreaves was appointed Celtic’s Head of Safety, Security and Operations in the summer of 2025 to oversee the safety of staff, players, and spectators.

Hargreaves joined Celtic following a 25-year career with Police Scotland, where he served as a Chief Superintendent and Assistant Inspector of Constabulary.

Celtic’s controversial appointment of Hargreaves has been met with strong criticism from fans, and after the shambolic scenes witnessed at Ibrox on Sunday, 67 Hail Hail looks into who the security lead is and how his appointment has caused ructions within the Parkhead support.

• READ MORE: Simon Jordan’s scathing assessment of policing at Ibrox validates Celtic fans’ concerns

How can we ensure that the Glasgow derby can continue having full allocations after the latest incident?

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Mark Hargreaves’ career prior to joining Celtic

Hargreaves’ career in the police covered a variety of roles over his 25-year spell. Here is how the now Celtic head of security worked within the authorities:

• OP26 Policing Lead: In 2020, he was transferred to the Glasgow Division to head the planning and security for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), one of the largest policing operations in UK history.
• Ayrshire Divisional Commander: Served as the top police officer for Ayrshire (Chief Superintendent) until early 2020, overseeing local policing and community partnerships.
• Specialist Services: Previously held the role of Divisional Commander for Specialist Service, with national responsibility for high-stakes units including firearms, public order, search, and dogs.
• Counter-Terrorism: Involved in leading counter-terrorism campaigns such as Project Servator, which focuses on deterring and disrupting criminal activity in public.
• Police Scotland: Held senior leadership roles, including Chief Superintendent, before moving into football operations.
• HMICS Role: Before joining Celtic, he served as an Assistant Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.

There is no doubt Hargreaves’ experience in the police made him an ideal candidate for the job at Celtic, but experience doesn’t necessarily mean he is the right man for the job.

Mark Hargreaves’ role at Celtic amid Green Brigade controversy

Hargreaves’ first year at Celtic has been filled with nothing but controversy and rows about the Green Brigade ban.

But what are his roles at the club? Here, we take a look:

• Celtic FC Appointment: Succeeding previous police-background appointees, his arrival was intended to provide professional authority to the club’s safety protocols.
• Role Responsibilities: Reports directly to the Board on stadium safety, manages matchday security staff (including in-house and sub-contracted stewards), and liaises with external agencies like Glasgow City Council’s Safety Advisory Group. 

Hargreaves’ tenure has been marked by significant tension with sections of the Celtic support, particularly the Green Brigade. 

• Security Measures: Under his leadership, fans have noted an increased police presence on concourses, more frequent ticket checks, and the installation of new barriers and fences around the standing section.
• Green Brigade Conflict: Relationship with the group deteriorated following a ‘serious incident’ at a Celtic match against Falkirk in October 2025, leading to a ban on around 200 supporters.
• Current Standing: As of March 2026, supporter groups like the Celtic Fans Collective have branded his position “untenable,” citing his “inexplicable absence” during high-profile matchday operations. 

Since his appointment in mid-2025, Hargreaves has implemented more rigid controls, particularly around the standing section:

• Increased Police Presence: He ended a previous “mutual agreement” that kept police off the concourses, making officers a regular fixture in fan areas.
• Physical Barriers: New fences and barriers have been installed around the North Curve to manage crowd flow and access.
• Stricter Ticket Checks: Routine ticket verification has multiplied, leading to flashpoints such as an October 2025 incident where a steward was allegedly assaulted during a check.
• Enhanced Surveillance: Hargreaves has publicly advocated for the use of CCTV footage to identify fans wearing masks, warning that “actions have repercussions” for those who attempt to evade identification. 

As Hargreaves oversees the continued ban of the Green Brigade and other supporters inside the North Curve, the Hoops support will be looking to him to do the right thing and rescind the draconian measure.