Security jacked up for England-Scotland tie

ROBUST extra security measures are to be implemented for Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier between old rivals England and Scotland in Glasgow after recent terror attacks in Britain.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) said gates would open earlier than usual, two hours ahead of the sold out clash and there would be body and bag searches.

There will also be an outer cordon which will only permit ticket holders to enter the area.

A free bus service will be provided from the city centre to the stadium.

The measures – taken in consultation with police and English counterparts the Football Association (FA) – have been put in place after the three terror attacks this year, two in London and one in Manchester, have left injured.

“The safety of fans is of paramount importance to the Scottish FA and a range of measures will be implemented as part of an enhanced security operation,” said an SFA spokesman.

“These increased security measures at Hampden Park will include bag and people searches, and may 34 dead and around 200 result in delays in entering the stadium.

“Fans should expect to be searched at the outer cordons [five different points] with additional bag searches at the turnstiles.

“To accommodate these increased measures, gates will now open at 3pm [1400GMT], half an hour earlier than originally planned,” the spokesman said. — AFP