‘Extremely disappointed’

Rangers fans’ mass gathering is condemned

A LARGE group of Rangers fans broke Covid lockdown rules by gathering in numbers outside Ibrox Stadium and setting off flares as their team closed in on winning the title for the first time in a decade.

Fans were seen crowding around a car entering the ground as police tried to hold them back.

And following the game against St Mirren, which Rangers won, the players ran towards a corner where the gathered fans could see them celebrating.

Under coronavirus rules, public gatherings are banned and a maximum of two people from two households are allowed to meet outdoors.

But despite football games continuing to take place behind closed doors with no fans permitted inside stadiums, hundreds of fans gathered in anticipation of sealing a further three points towards the Premiership.

Rangers can win the league title today if Celtic drop points against Dundee United.

The gathering was criticised by the Scottish Government with a spokesperson saying: “We are extremely disappointed supporters have gathered at Ibrox.

“At this crucial stage of suppressing the virus, the actions of this minority of individuals jeopardises the safety of other supporters, the police on duty and the wider community. We will continue to engage with Police Scotland and the club.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously criticised fans for gathering in large numbers. After Celtic fans took part in a protest outside the club’s stadium in November, she said: “We have advice against gatherings and every day I stand up here and say avoid crowded places.

“We have a limit on people coming together outside ... so it stands to reason any group of people that are gathering together in a crowd are putting themselves and others at risk.

“Whether it’s football fans, rugby fans, any other kind of sport fans or just people in general, please don’t do it because right now, in the middle of this pandemic, it is a risky thing to do that puts you and other people at risk.”

Police said no arrests were made. Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland said: “About 10am today ... a large number of supporters gathered outside Ibrox Stadium and a number of pyrotechnic devices were set off.

“I would remind supporters that in line with current Scottish Government coronavirus guidelines, all gatherings are currently prohibited and we would urge members of the public to comply with these restrictions.

“Our priority is public safety and an appropriate policing plan was in place and officers engaged with those present to explain and encourage compliance with restrictions.”

The Blues Brothers Rangers and Linfield FC fan group posted videos on Twitter.

A member of the group said: “It’s scenes of joy. Ten years almost of pain and watching our rivals win the lot has been hard.

“We’d expect celebrations to be bigger when we officially win the title, whether that’s tomorrow or two weeks’ time against Celtic.”