OLD FIRM ARRESTS
SIX football fans were arrested at the Old Firm clash at Ibrox yesterday.
Police confirmed that the men were nicked for minor public order offences and each took place in and around the football ground.
Ahead of the Scottish Premiership match, in which Celtic beat their rivals 3-2, hundreds joined in a Rangers fan group march promoted by a sectarian flyer that is the centre of a criminal investigation.
With a “Goodnight Green and White” banner draped across the balaclava-clad marchers at the front, the group sang both celebratory Rangers songs but also offensive songs.
The Union Bears, which organised the event, had insisted the march before the Old Firm derby would go ahead despite calls for it to be stopped.
The group had made a ‘no surrender’ retort ahead of the match, saying: “Despite intimidation by the media and visits to our members’ houses by Police Scotland – Sunday’s march to the stadium is still going ahead. We urge all Rangers fans to join us on the streets.”
A poster plugging the march showed a silhouette image of someone wearing a green and white jersey appearing to be being kicked in the head while on the ground, surrounded by text reading: “Good night, green white.”
It described the Old Firm derby as “the match against the Fenians”.
Match commander Superintendent Alan Murray confirmed Police Scotland was looking into the controversial flyer and urged fans not to take part in the march.
He stated: “We are aware of the content of the advert connected to the march, which permission has not been granted for.
“A criminal investigation has been launched into the wording and logo of the advert.”
That did not stop the march from going ahead from the Louden Tavern with a heavy police presence. Fans lit up red, white and blue flares and carried Union Flags.
While some supporting the march compared it to allowed marches by Celtic ultras group, t he Green Brigade, the ensuing row has caused MSP James Dornan, who reported the matter to Police Scotland, to threaten to quit Twitter following abuse over his stance.
Glasgow city councillor for Southside Central Mhairi Hunter was one of the first to voice their concern on social media, saying the marchers were displaying “intimidating behaviour”.
She said: “Pretty worrying pics and videos of that ultras march to Ibrox. The police just have to manage this, there are too many to stop it.
“This is unauthorised, But given the numbers the police will have decided to let it go ahead rather than try and stop it.
“Their priority will always be to maintain public safety.”