Scottish Premiership

THE flashpoint Old Firm showdown is at a ‘very real’ risk of being scrapped – as police chiefs demand action on fans’ behaviour from both clubs.
Force insiders have told of frontline cops’ concerns over the powderkeg clash going ahead amid fears of a repeat of Rangers supporters’ lockdown-breaking title celebrations.

Rowdy Rangers fans partied in George Square after their first title in ten yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Fans let off smoke bombs to ring in their first title party in a decadeCredit: Splash News

Sources have said there is ‘a very real possibility’ the Ibrox side’s match with Celtic at Parkhead on March 21 should not go ahead – with intel already revealing some fans’ plans to gather at both stadiums.
It come as the Scottish Police Federation demanded assurances from the clubs and warned of the ‘increased risks’ to officers following chaotic scenes at the weekend.
Rangers clinched their first top-flight league title in a decade on Sunday after Celtic drew 0-0 with Dundee United – sparking huge gatherings of jubilant fans across Glasgow.
Today, a source said: “There needs to be assurances that there will be no repeats of what happened at the weekend — but everyone knows this is going to be a challenge.

“The responsibility falls on the clubs, but will fans really listen to them?
“There have already been indications some supporters plan to gather at Parkhead on March 21.
“What officers had to deal with at the weekend was bad enough, without adding in rivalry and the potential for violence.
“Calling the game off is a very real possibility.”

Rangers’ game at Celtic Park could yet be cancelledCredit: PA:Press Association

Fans climbed on statues in the city centre after winning the Scottish PremiershipCredit: PA:Press Association

On Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood: “The behaviour witnessed at the weekend was disgraceful and selfish.
“In terms of future fixtures, there are a variety of discussions happening over the course of this week, including one between myself and the chief constable.
“We will report back on those in due course and certainly before the scheduled Old Firm match on March 21.
“The reason we’ve tried to keep football and elite sport, generally, going is not for the benefit really of the elite sports people but for the fans.”
And she hit out again as she told MSPs the Rangers fans’ title celebrations had left a ‘question mark’ over whether it was right to let professional sport continue during lockdown.
The First Minister said the decision to resume games behind closed doors last year had not been ‘free of criticism’ as she was quizzed on when she thinks supporters will be allowed back in grounds.
She told Holyrood’s Covid-19 committee: “We have tried to keep sport going or get it going again after last year’s lockdown – albeit behind closed doors – in order to give football fans the ability to watch their team even if they can’t be there in person.
“Obviously what happened at the weekend puts huge, huge question marks in people’s mind over whether that was the right thing to do or not and creates lots of anger on the part of many people.”
Asked by SNP MSP Willie Coffey if she thinks fans will be back inside stadiums ‘in the near future’, Ms Sturgeon referenced her fury over the scenes in Glasgow at the weekend.

Gers fans gathered outside Ibrox too as Glasgow erupted in party scenesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Fans with flares partied into the night after the title was wonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
She said: “It’s maybe a sensitive subject to be asking me about right now.
“I’m also conscious of the fact – and it’s just one of the burdens of office – that anything I say on football has somebody or other deciding I’m the worst person ever.
“I hope soon. I hope that before too long in some competition or other fans will be able to be in Somerset Park to watch Ayr Utd beat Killie. But I can’t put a date on it right now.”
We told how Sturgeon tore into Rangers chiefs over fans’ lockdown-breaking title celebrations and accused club bosses of a lack of leadership by not doing enough to prevent the chaos.
And David Hamilton – chairman of the SPF, which represents rank and file cops – said: “If the game does go ahead, we would expect there to be assurances from both clubs that there will be no repeat of the fan behaviours seen in the last few weeks.
“Old Firm football matches are some of the most difficult and hostile policing environments and the risk to our members has increased hugely as a consequence of the pandemic.”
It is understood some officers who were on duty at Rangers fans’ lockdown-breaking title celebrations are now self-isolating as a precaution.
Mass Covid-19 testing of cops exposed to the crowds are the weekend is also underway.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the actions of Rangers chiefs
Officers nicked 28 people on Sunday, while seven were issued with fixed penalty notices or will be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Reasons given for the arrests included assaulting police officers, breaching coronavirus regulations, disorder, use of flares and sectarian breaches of the peace.
The First Minister also blasted ‘selfish’ supporters for ‘flagrantly breaching’ Covid rules and said talks were being held with Chief Constable Iain Livingstone over how to avoid a repeat of the havoc.
She told her Covid briefing on Tuesday: “I’ve had a three page letter from Rangers that doesn’t even reflect the fact that what happened was deeply regrettable, and that we all have to reflect on how we avoid that happening in future.
“At no point, unless I missed it in which case I will have it pointed out and will stand corrected, did Rangers simply and unequivocally say to their fans, ‘stay at home’.
“As far as I am concerned in this case, Rangers did not do nearly enough to help avoid this situation arising at the weekend.
“We will be having further discussions this week with the football authorities and with certain clubs who, in my view, do need to show much more leadership.”
Ibrox bosses, cop chiefs and the Scottish Government became embroiled in a war of words in the aftermath of the mass celebrations.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Police Scotland accused Ibrox bosses of failing to do enough to stop fans gathering. Rangers then released a letter which they claimed proved they took effective control measures in advance of the rowdy weekend celebrations.
And hours later, Celtic FC tweeted: “We’re not half of anything…not our problem.”
Last night, a Police Scotland spokeswoman commented on proposed gatherings at Celtic Park.
She said: “We are aware of these reports circulating online, however we would strongly remind everyone that in line with current Scottish Government Coronavirus regulations, all gatherings are currently prohibited and we would urge members of the public to comply with these restrictions.”
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Nicola Sturgeon says Rangers ‘could have done more’ as she blasts ‘disgraceful and selfish’ Covidiot fans More

CELTIC have ruthlessly hit back at Rangers and distanced themselves from being part of the Old Firm with a damning statement. 
Ibrox chairman Douglas Park infuriated Parkhead chiefs after bringing up the behaviour of Hoops fans in a letter to Nicola Sturgeon.

🍀 Celtic Football Club Statement:We’re not half of anything… 🙄Not our problem.#OneClubSince1888
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 9, 2021

Rangers chairman Douglas Park’s letter to Nicola Sturgeon referenced the behaviour of Celtic fansCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

Rangers have faced stinging criticism from the Scottish Government and Police Scotland after thousands of fans descended the streets of Glasgow following the club’s title win at the weekend.
Supporters brazenly defied strict lockdown rules with mass gatherings at Ibrox, George Square and the club’s Auchenhowie training centre.
First Minister Sturgeon and Deputy FM John Swinney both blasted the club’s handling of the situation and insisted they could have done more to prevent fans throwing illegal parties.
In a letter, Ibrox chief Park insisted that cops were aware that fans would congregate across the city following the ‘behaviour’ of Celtic supporters in December, where thousands protested outside the stadium to demand Neil Lennon’s removal.

Park wrote: “Police intelligence indicated that some fans would congregate in groups given the fact that is not only a historic achievement but also due to the behaviour from the other half of the Old Firm outside Parkhead in December.
“Additionally, I want to note a letter you have yet to reply to from our managing director on 8th December 2020 which asks why Rangers were included with Celtic in relation to fan behaviour during a press briefing.
“Given the fact that John Swinney has failed to mention a wide range of other public gatherings that you did not take such a strong line on, leaves you open to criticism that there is an unbalanced approach from the Scottish Government when it comes to Rangers Football Club, which happens to be one of the largest employers in your constituency.”
But tonight, Celtic have fired back and distanced themselves from the chaotic scenes which erupted over the weekend, and even aimed a subtle dig over their Glasgow rivals’ liquidation in 2012.

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Celtic tweeted: “Celtic Football Club Statement: We’re not half of anything… Not our problem. #OneClubSince1888.”
The tweet has exploded social media into life, with both sides of the divide reacting in their thousands.
One Hoops fan wrote: “Brilliant response Celtic.”
Another posted: “Go on Celtic that’s what we wanted.”
While a third added: “The intent is good but it should be more direct and it should be from Lawwell or Bankier delivered straight to @NicolaSturgeon door.”
Rangers fans also got involved as they poked fun at their rivals for blowing ten-in-a-row.
One Gers punter said: “No amount of salty tweets will recover your painfully humiliating season.”
While another commented: “Hahahahaha that’s when you know you are heartbroken.”

Nicola Sturgeon says Rangers ‘could have done more’ as she blasts ‘disgraceful and selfish’ Covidiot fans More

RANGERS’ Covid 5 have been hit with an SFA Notice of Complaint.
Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Bongani Zungu, Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude have all been charged by the governing body for allegedly flouting Covid rules last month.

Rangers starlet Nathan Patterson has been filling in for crocked skipper James Tavernier but could now face a lengthy period suspendedCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

Bongani Zungu is on a season-long loan from French club AmiensCredit: PA:Press Association

And now they look set to be slapped with match bans after being accused of breaking SFA disciplinary rules 24 and 77 for failing to ‘act in the best interests of Association Football’.
A disciplinary hearing scheduled for Thursday March 25.
It means first-team stars Patterson, Zungu and Bassey will be available to face Celtic in the Parkhead Old Firm clash just four days earlier.
The Covidiots were caught by cops at an illegal gathering in February, with boss Steven Gerrard admitting he felt ‘personally let down’.

But right-back Patterson and South African midfielder Zungu have since been brought back into the fold.
It was the second time Rangers have been rocked by Covid breaches within Ibrox this season.
Jordan Jones and George Edmundson were hammered with seven-game SFA bans after breaking rules by having a house party with pals last November.
The fringe players were later loaned out to Sunderland and Derby.

Calvin Bassey joined Gers from Leicester City last summerCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

Now Patterson, Bassey and Zungu – along with kids Kinnear and Mebude – are sweating over their fates.
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon insists she needs assurances there will be no repeat of the weekend’s rule breaking scenes before she gives the third Old Firm match of the season the go-ahead.
Newly-crowned champions Rangers are due at Celtic Park on March 21 with the Scottish Government fearful of a repeat of the scenes which saw thousands of Rangers fans break lockdown rules as they celebrated their title triumph.
A number of discussions are underway later today and for the remainder of the week with the First Minister saying she will report back once the crunch talks have taken place.
Her comments came as a war of words brewed with Rangers chairman Douglas Park over the rights and wrongs of the weekend celebrations.
Sturgeon said: “In terms of future fixtures, there are a variety of discussions happening over the course of this week including one between myself and the chief constable later today.
“We will report back on those in due course certainly before the scheduled Old Firm match on the 21st of March.
“The reason we’ve tried to keep football and elite sport generally going is not for the benefit really of the elite sports people but for the fans.
“Everybody is being deprived of so much right now that the ability to watch a football match and cheer on your team on the television should be something that people have the ability to do.
“But a minority can’t be allowed to act irresponsibly so I hope that we don’t have to spoil that for the majority but we will have to assure ourselves that there will be no repeat of the kind of scenes we saw at the weekend.
“And that frankly is still very much a work in progress.”

Nicola Sturgeon says Rangers ‘could have done more’ as she blasts ‘disgraceful and selfish’ Covidiot fans More

JOHN HARTSON insists there’s no way Celtic should offer Rangers a guard of honour.
The Ibrox side won the title thanks to Celtic’s goalless draw against Dundee United on Sunday.

Celtic legend John Hartson says the Hoops shouldn’t offer Rangers a guard of honourCredit: PA:Press Association

Rangers arrive at Celtic Park as champions on March 21Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Their next league game is at Celtic Park in a fortnight, with the possibility of the Hoops paying tribute to the side that denied them ten in a row.
However Steven Gerrard’s side refused to offer the same courtesy at Ibrox after Neil Lennon led Celtic to eight in a row in 2019.
And ex-Hoops striker Hartson said: “Why would you start it now?
“Celtic don’t need to be told that Rangers have deserved to win the league. The players will appreciate just how well they have played.

“But the guard of honour thing is just a nonsense, really.
“They are rivals and there has to be mutual respect, but you can have that without needing to go down the guard of honour road.
“What Rangers have achieved this season is there in black and white and will be forever more. They don’t need a guard of honour to be reminded of what they have done.
“Celtic have been disappointing this season. Everything that could go wrong went wrong.”

Rangers refused to give Celtic guard of honour after Lennon guided them to eight in a rowCredit: Reuters

Hartson continued: “When you reflect on what they done and how they dominated Scottish football for a decade, there has to be an admiration for everything that they achieved.
“Nine successive titles is extraordinary as was the Quadruple Treble. That won’t be done again.
“I’m fairly sure in that run there would have been a fair few chances for Rangers to offer a guard of honour at that time, which they didn’t.”
Celtic will be hoping to hand Rangers their first league defeat of the season when they meet.
But Hartson insists they will take little joy from it if they succeed.
He said: “I remember two seasons ago when Neil had just gone back to Celtic after Brendan Rodgers had left and they were on their way to a domestic Treble.
“They’d won the league and they went to Ibrox and Rangers won 2-0.
“I remember feeling so embarrassed for the Rangers players because they celebrated as they though had won the European Cup.
“I remember thinking, ‘Where have you been all season? It’s too late for that to count when the title has been decided’.
“Celtic won’t want them winning at Celtic Park, but regardless of what happens in that game, the damage is done.”

Nicola Sturgeon says Rangers ‘could have done more’ as she blasts ‘disgraceful and selfish’ Covidiot fans More

FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she needs assurances there will be NO repeat of the weekend’s Covid breaches before she gives the third Old Firm match of the season the go-ahead.
Newly-crowned champions Rangers are due at Celtic Park on Sunday, March 21.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s comments led to fears over the Old Firm matchCredit: AFP

And the Scottish Government are fearful of a repeat of the scenes which saw thousands of Rangers fans break lockdown rules as they celebrated their title triumph.
A number of discussions are underway and will go on for the remainder of the week.
The SNP leader has said she will report back once the crunch talks have taken place.
Her comments came as a war of words brewed with Rangers chairman Douglas Park over the rights and wrongs of the weekend celebrations.

Ms Sturgeon said: “In terms of future fixtures, there are a variety of discussions happening over the course of this week including one between myself and the chief constable later today.
“We will report back on those in due course certainly before the scheduled Old Firm match on March 21.
“The reason we’ve tried to keep football and elite sport generally going is not for the benefit really of the elite sports people but for the fans.
“Everybody is being deprived of so much right now that the ability to watch a football match and cheer on your team on the television should be something that people have the ability to do.

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“But a minority can’t be allowed to act irresponsibly.
“So I hope that we don’t have to spoil that for the majority but we will have to assure ourselves that there will be no repeat of the kind of scenes we saw at the weekend.
“And that frankly is still very much a work in progress.”

Nicola Sturgeon says Rangers ‘could have done more’ as she blasts ‘disgraceful and selfish’ Covidiot fans More

THE full text of the letter written by Rangers chairman Douglas Park to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is in the public domain.
And in it the Gers chairman hits back over Deputy First Minister John Swinney’s criticisms of the leadership shown by the club as their fans broke Covid-19 regulations as they celebrated the club’s first title in ten years.

Rangers chairman Douglas Park penned a letter to Nicola Sturgeon after fans broke Covid rules to celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership

Park hit out at First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish government in the letterCredit: AFP

Instead, he accuses First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her government officials of showing a lack of leadership and derelicting HER duty – and demanded clarification of those comments.
The letter cites the ‘behaviour from the other half of the Old Firm outside Parkhead in December’ as one factor which indicated to police intelligence that fans would gather after the title was secured.
Park wrote: “Police intelligence indicated that some fans would congregate in groups given the fact that is not only a historic achievement but also due to the behaviour from the other half of the Old Firm outside Parkhead in December.
“It would have been a lack of leadership not to proactively engage on this matter.

“I must reiterate my concern and displeasure at the claims of the deputy First Minister that there is a lack of leadership at Rangers Football club.
“I think this is particularly disingenuous given the fact we have outlined the timeline above and more importantly the fact you have failed as a constituency MSP to engage with us directly on this matter.
“That to me is a lack of leadership and a dereliction of duty.
“I trust that both you, the deputy first minister and the Justice minister will clarify remarks in light of the facts now presented to you.”

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The letter reveals the full timeline of the correspondence between the Ibrox side and Scottish Government officials as the days counted down to their imminent coronation as Scottish Premiership champions.
This began as early as February 22 and included comments from manager Steven Gerrard in his press conference ahead of the meeting with St Mirren.
The letter says the club were left waiting for a response from Justice Minister Humza Yousaf and the police.
It also claims that there was agreement with Police Scotland and the Government that it was ‘arrogant’ to make major statements on the matter before the title was mathematically confirmed after Celtic’s draw with Dundee United on the Sunday.
In apparent reference to the vandalism of benches in Glasgow’s George Square, Rangers also said: “We cannot understand that after police intelligence clearly highlighting that a celebratory crowd would gather, street furniture was not removed as is standard practice.”
The letter continued: “It is particularly disappointing that there has been a lack of acknowledgement from the Scottish Government to the wide range of efforts we undertook in recent weeks to limit public safety issues.
“These are not only in relation to general public safety but with an acute focus on the Covid-19 pandemic and the Government guidance.
“It is also particularly disappointing that Mr Swinney has chosen to lambast Rangers publicy, given the fact we had proactively initiated engagement with Police Sccotland, the SPFL, and the Scottish Government as well as the local Member of Parliament.
“To brand us as ‘disgraceful’ is indeed a ‘deep element of concern’ for Rangers as we believe this narrative is not only unfair but crucially, totally inaccurate.
“On March 6 during our game vs St Mirren, our managing director agreed to endorse a form of words from Police Scotland the Scottish Government.
“We offered that our communications department would liaise with counterparts within both organisations.”

Rangers fans broke Covid regulations to celebrate a first league title in ten years over the weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The letter carried on, stating: “The Justice Minister said he would follow up with the police but we did not hear from him again.
“I am at a loss as to what more Rangers Football Club could have done to limit the reaction to winning our historic 55th league title.
“It has been widely accepted amongst the football family that this is one of the greatest modern day sporting achievements and I believe that his should not be downplayed.
“We agreed that it would have been arrogant to use any public statement regarding celebrating a victory prior to us securing three crucial points versus St Mirren.
“Additionally it would have been distasteful to agree a form of word prior to 2pm on Sunday as the mathematical victory depended on a result beyond our control.
“This point was fully acknowledged by both Police Scotland and the government.”

Moment reckless Rangers fan sets off firework at packed George Square almost hitting fellow supporters More

ROY KEANE gave a brilliant response when asked if he had a message for new Scottish champions Rangers yesterday.
The former Manchester United midfielder turned pundit had a brief spell at Celtic to end his illustrious playing career.

Roy Keane had no congratulatory message for Rangers when askedCredit: Sky Sports

The midfielder had a short spell at Celtic to end his careerCredit: AFP

Rangers won their first title in a decade on Sunday to end Celtic’s domestic dominance in Scotland.
And Keane was asked on Sky Sports if he had a congratulatory message for Steven Gerrard’s side.
He responded: “For Rangers? No.
“Listen, it’s been a tough year for Celtic but they’ll bounce back next year like all great clubs do.”

Fellow pundit and Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher was full of praise for his good friend and ex-team-mate Gerrard.
The duo won the Champions League together at Anfield – but neither had lifted a title.
Carragher said: “They must have been terrified for years that the record would have been beaten by Celtic.
“When Gerrard came in, that was the name of the game to stop Celtic achieving that.

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Steven Gerrard has ended Rangers’ long wait for a Scottish titleCredit: AFP
“They’ve come a long way but they’ll be hoping the glory days are back.
“He’s done a brilliant job. They were so far behind Celtic when he first came in.
“I think the European campaigns have been the big boost – certainly financially to help him reinvest in the squad.”

Gerrard’s side secured their long-awaited 55th title after Celtic dropped points at Dundee United.
But fans were slammed for gathering in the city centre to celebrate the title, breaking coronavirus restrictions.

Rangers fans flock to Glasgow city centre for title celebrations as club crowned Scottish Premiership champs More