A police officer has been injured after being hit by a missile as Rangers and Celtic thugs clashed in Glasgow on Sunday ahead of the Old Firm cup final.
Violent scenes unfolded in the city centre’s Argyle Street in front of horrified Christmas shoppers. Rangers fans wearing Santa hats rampaged through the busy street before clashing with rival Celtic ultras. The disorder took place hours before the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden.
The large disturbance broke out around 12.25pm as multiple police units were scrambled to the scene. A number of pyro devices were launched with other missiles reportedly lobbed at officers.
The Force have confirmed that one officer was injured during the clash. Cops also raced to Gallagher’s bar in Howard Street around 12.30pm after fireworks were lobbed inside the Celtic pub.
Around 12.55pm a 26-year-old man was seriously assaulted in the Argyle Street area. He was rushed to hospital for treatment, with police also launching a probe into the attack.
Police have confirmed that just two arrests were made during the match. A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a drugs offence. Cops also cuffed a 30-year-old man in the ground for possession of a pyrotechnic. Both men will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Police were forced to deploy special powers yesterday in a bid to crackdown on the football thugs. The Force told yesterday how missiles were launched at officers in Argyle Street and windows were smashed at a premises in Howard Street.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “We dealt with a number of incidents in Glasgow city centre involving individuals engaging in disorder and violence.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to identify those who were involved and we will take appropriate action against them. I urge anyone who has any information that could assist our investigation to contact us.
“I want to make it clear that the use of weapons and violence will not be tolerated and retrospective enquiries are being carried out.
“We are following a number of lines of investigation, including reviewing CCTV and footage on social media.
“I would like to thank the majority of fans for their conduct throughout the day.”
SNP First Minister John Swinney said the violence was “completely and utterly unacceptable”.
He said: “There was a completely and utterly unacceptable level of violence from a small minority of football fans involved in the game yesterday.
“It caused fear and alarm for people who were quite happily going about their Christmas shopping in the centre of Glasgow and it should not, in any circumstances, have taken place.”
The two clubs have the responsibility, the First Minister added, to “take account of the behaviour of their fans”.
Enquiries into these incidents are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 1100 of 15 December, or call anonymously Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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