The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Justice secretary praises Old Firm over stay-at-home message to fans
Scotland’s justice secretary praised Rangers and Celtic football clubs after both managers issued pleas for fans to stay at home ahead of an upcoming Old Firm game.
Thousands of Rangers fans breached lockdown rules on March 7 to celebrate the side’s first top-tier league win in a decade, leading to worries the scenes could be repeated on March 21 at Celtic Park.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Sport Minister Mairi Gougeon held talks with both clubs on Friday, along with Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council.
Now, the managers of both clubs have called for fans to take in the fixture at home.
On Twitter, Mr Yousaf said he was very pleased to see strong messages from both clubs urging fans to “obey rules and stay at home” for the upcoming game.
Previously, he warned it would be postponed if there was any police intelligence saying fans were about to “square off ” against each other.
In a message to fans on the club website, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard wrote: “The best place you can support my players and I this Sunday is from the comfort of your own home.
He stressed the dangers posed by Covid-19 and the need to remember the lives already lost to the virus.
Celtic interim manager John Kennedy reiterated the stay-at-home message in a statement on the club’s website.
He said: “For us, and for everyone, it’s about staying at home, being safe and sticking to the rules and legislation that’s in place.”