Police slam fans at Celtic Park ahead of Old Firm game
Fans who gathered outside Celtic Park ahead of yesterday’s Old Firm game have been criticised by police.
A group of about 100 home supporters gathered an hour before kick-off, some waving flags while others released fireworks as team buses arrived.
Police said they were disappointed at the gathering, which came after pleas from politicians and Old Firm managers Neil Lennon and Steven Gerrard for fans to remain at home amid Covid-19 restrictions.
Official figures showed a further 15 Covid-related deaths in Scotland yesterday while an outbreak at a care home is now being linked to 11 deaths.
Yesterday’s Old Firm game, won 2-0 by Rangers, was played in an empty stadium due to Covid-19 restrictions. Police said no arrests were made.
Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “Disappointingly, despite the clubs, Government and police asking people to stay away, a minority of fans did gather near Celtic Park ahead of the match and pyrotechnics were used.”
A number of fans are understood to have travelled to Cumbria to watch the game after Scots pubs were locked down. Police said two Scots were arrested at Carlisle railway station yesterday evening.
Both men were held for alleged drunk and disorderly conduct with one also allegedly in possession of drugs, police said.
A Cumbria police spokeswoman added:
“Two arrests were made at 4.45pm at the train station. Both men were from Scotland and remain in police custody.”
Lancashire police reported “no issues” yesterday evening over fans travelling to Blackpool to watch the game in pubs there.
Meanwhile, a further four residents have died in a Covid outbreak at a care home.
Operators HC-ONE said 11 people have now died with Covid-19 at Redmill Care Home in East Whitburn, West Lothian. A further 35 residents and 20 staff members were yesterday confirmed to have the virus.
A probe into the outbreak, and another at Milford House care home in Edinburgh, is under way.
An HC-ONE spokesman said: “We have a comprehensive Covid contingency plan in place and are working closely with NHS Lothian to ensure we are doing all we can to respond to this outbreak.”
Scottish Government figures yesterday showed a further 15 coronavirus-related deaths since Friday. The daily statistics showed a large rise in cases, with 1,167 people testing positive in 24 hours.
Chief nursing officer Prof Fiona Mcqueen said there was “concern” at the rise in figures.
The Scottish Government has introduced measures to halt the rise in Covid-19 in Scotland, with pubs and restaurants closed in the central belt and people banned from visiting each other’s homes.