Fans’ behaviour is risking lives, warns Mackay
Malky Mackay last night served a dire warning that supporters were “putting lives at risk” by behaving like Dundee United’s following did in Dingwall.
The Tangerine faithful showered the pitch with flares and smoke bombs and invaded the park twice, before and after Nicky Clark’s double sealed a fourth-place finish.
The moronic behaviour also saw United’s Kevin Mcdonald require treatment and Tony Watt being hurt after collisions with their own fans.
Mackay understood the jubilance and hailed the carnival atmosphere United’s fans brought to the game.
But he fears there could be a serious incident or fatality if action is not taken to snuff out a growing trend towards such misbehaviour.
Mackay said: “It’s the last day of the season and there was a carnival atmosphere.
“What it did was give us a great atmosphere, with them bringing so many fans with them.
“But that safety aspect, with pyrotechnics coming on, is something that needs to stop as it can hurt people.
“People have actually got to lift those off the pitch, and they are 500 degrees. I really don’t enjoy that at all, and it happened too much.
“I’m fine with the party atmosphere and people spilling on and off, as it’s one of those days. But the pyrotechnics need to be looked at and addressed in Scottish football.
“People are behaving in a certain way now they are back at football, which didn’t happen before.
“It’s something that, across the board, isn’t acceptable if we are talking about safety at football clubs and respect at grounds for anything and everything.
“There are stewards trying to get these things off the park and that is putting lives in danger.
Mackay had to take his players off the field and into the dressing room to await the United fans’ departure before allowing his players a lap of honour after top-six success.
He said: “I took the players in as I knew it would calm down.
“It was good to get this appreciation. I spoke to the players and told them to have their 10 seconds of disappointment – even then they got five seconds.
“I wanted them to get back out there, as this is about the 38-game season and making sure they are proud of who they are, of who their families are and the badge.
“They have to be proud of what they have achieved for Ross County because a lot of them are not going to be here next year. That group will split up now, and it’s important they thank the fans.
“As the year has gone on, there has been a real connection between our fans and players.”