It’s now been over a week since Celtic beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup and the Ibrox row continues after John Swinney slams both clubs for the delay in releasing their statements.
The First Minister condemned the wearing of ‘balaclavas’ as Swinney warned Celtic and Rangers fans that violence at Glasgow Derby games will not be tolerated.
Celtic chairman Brian Wilson said he was open to an independent investigation as he defended the Hoops support from a ‘false narrative’ that they were somehow involved in ‘threats of violence’ after the match.
Wilson told Celtic TV, “It is unfortunate that the events after the game have to some extent detracted or overshadowed the actual result.
“What you had there was a euphoric response from our supporters. It is not uncommon. It has happened on numerous occasions this season alone in Scottish football where you have an overspill onto the pitch.
What did you make of Brian Wilson’s statement on the Ibrox row?
Let us know in the comments.
“That in itself does not usually draw expressions of condemnation. What I would say is that I welcome the SFA’s intention to have a full inquiry.
“Let’s look at the evidence. If there’s evidence of violence, if there’s evidence of threats of violence, then of course I will condemn that – but let’s look at the evidence before we create maybe a false narrative.”
“I was frankly disappointed by the chief constable’s comments, as she presumably knows we work closely with Police Scotland.”
However, after Scotland’s First Minister appeared unhappy at the statements from both clubs as he condemned the Ibrox violence and how long it took Celtic and Rangers to both speak out.
John Swinney hits out at Ibrox ‘violence’ after Celtic beat Rangers
The First Minister backs calls for an investigation into Celtic and Rangers last week, and now Swinney goes further as he condemns the timing of the Glasgow giants’ statements.
Swinney said in The Scottish Sun, “I think we’ve got to try to bring the clubs together with the football authorities because at a very basic level, I am not prepared to tolerate that violence at a football match.
On Rangers and Celtic releasing statements days after the Ibrox row, Swinney continued, “I think it took them too long to say anything about it.
“Who needs to go to a football match wearing a balaclava? It wasn’t very cold that day.
“You’re going there with malicious intent. You don’t need to wear a balaclava.”
Swinney does not want to see Celtic vs Rangers ticket allocation cuts
As for the debate surrounding cutting away ticket allocations for Celtic vs Rangers games, the First Minister would rather that not happen.
Swinney continued, “I would rather that’s not the case but I think none of us can watch those scenes and think that there isn’t something that’s got to give as a consequence of what happened at the weekend.
“I want to take time to engage… the clubs and the SFA, to identify what’s the best course of action to take.”
After the recent scenes that saw Rangers fans intent on causing violence at Ibrox, 67 Hail Hail wrote that their ticket allocation for the Celtic Park Glasgow Derby should immediately be rescinded.
If those fans cannot be trusted to behave inside their own stadium, it does not bode well for the final derby of the season.
Security at Ibrox for the Celtic game remains the big question that is unanswered and hopefully the investigations will see that the arrangements made were not good enough and exonerate the Hoops support.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
