Strachan concerned by title showdown

Gordon Strachan has warned against pairing the Old Firm together in a potential title clincher, claiming the possibility for trouble could place Scotland’s global reputation at risk.

The wait for the release of the post-split fixtures rumbled on as Scottish Professional Football League chiefs continued to hold talks with police bosses and their broadcasting partners.

It is highly unlikely Celtic, who need just one more win to clinch their seventh straight title, will take on Rangers first up, with Hampden chiefs desperate to avoid a repeat of the kind of violent scenes which marred the Light Blues’ 1999 title party at Parkhead.

However, that stance has frustrated Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, who feels such a boxoffice duel could provide the league with a much-needed boost by drawing attention from around the world.

Former Celtic manager Strachan is not so sure.

He fears the image of Scottish football – and the country as a whole – could suffer if there was a similar outbreak as took place before last week’s Champions League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, in which the Blues’ team bus was attacked with missiles as it approached Anfield.

“I can see where everybody is coming from but we have to send the best image of Scotland out to the world,” said the ex-Scotland boss, back at Hampden to preview Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final showdown between the Glasgow clubs.

“If the Government and police think there could be problems, then you have to take your advice from them.

“They might think it is damaging to Scotland as a whole to show something like that. You hope we’re a lot better now but you never know.

“Just look last week at Manchester City going to Liverpool. It wasn’t good seeing those scenes before the match. It wasn’t good for Liverpool, it wasn’t good for the English game.

“You’re hoping you wouldn’t see those kind of scenes (in Glasgow).”

Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist was also at Hampden ahead of the cup derby clash and he said he would have no problem with his old side taking on their bitter rivals with the title up for grabs – if police chiefs give the powder-keg fixture their blessing.

“There are people far more qualified than me that will make that decision,” he said.

“Me personally? I wouldn’t have a problem with it as when it comes to Old Firm games, you could play at 2am out in the back garden and it would still have the same appeal.

“I don’t see everything that goes on around Old Firm games so the correct people to make that decision would be the powers that be and if the police decide the game can get played, I’m happy.

“If not and they’d rather play it two weeks later, then I’m also happy with that.”