THE MESSAGE THAT DIDN’T GET THROUGH... AND THE MAYHEM THAT FOLLOWED

FRIDAY

STEVEN GERRARD urged fans to ‘stay humble and safe’ and to abide by social distancing measures and government rules.

‘I think that we all have to abide by the government rules and respect the social distancing. We are still in the middle of a pandemic. It’s important the fans stay humble and safe. ‘The fans are the priority here and we totally understand and we can certainly relate to how they’re feeling at the moment. We know there’s a real excitement and rightly so. We want them to really enjoy this time and really revel in the moment.’

SATURDAY

RANGERS fans gather at Ibrox in the morning ahead of the St Mirren match, with hundreds in attendance by the time the game kicks off at 3pm. Gerrard’s men win the match 3-0 and, when the full-time whistle blows, the players rush to celebrate in front of supporters who are gathered at the gate between the Main Stand and the Copland Road Stand. After the match, Gerrard and several players hang out the windows at Ibrox to celebrate with supporters outside. Speaking after the match, Gerrard said: ‘I’ve got to get my words right here. We are still experiencing and are involved in a pandemic. It’s important fans try to stay humble and safe. That’s the priority — fans’ safety and people’s safety. But, at the same time, if you’ve got anything inside you or any part of your heart can understand what the fans have been through, you can totally understand what’s gone on outside this stadium.’

SUNDAY

CELTIC’S draw at Dundee United confirms Rangers are officially champions. Rangers fans flock to Auchenhowie training centre, where the first-team players and staff had been watching the match. Players go out to celebrate in front of fans gathered at the gates of their Milngavie base. Supporters also congregate in vast numbers at Ibrox and at George Square. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pleads with the Ibrox club to send a message to their supporters, adding: ‘I share folks’ anger at this. Everyone has made so many sacrifices in the past year and seeing a minority risk our progress is infuriating and disgraceful. It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already. Please ask fans to go home @Rangers.’ Messages to go home are apparently played over the Tannoy to the crowd gathered at Ibrox but no message is posted on the club website or over social media.

MONDAY

ON Monday, Rangers point to Gerrard’s quotes on Friday and Saturday and release a statement, saying: ‘...we have proactively engaged with our local MP, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.’ However, they are then criticised for their response by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney. That is followed by a rebuke from Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham for not taking their responsibilities ‘seriously’ in dissuading fans.