Celtic v Rangers will go ahead on Sunday, provided our rivals behave tonight.
Tonight, our rivals face Slavia Prague, led by Celtic-linked Czech coach Jindřich Trpišovský. After the scenes following the side’s title win, there’s concern about public disorder. Supporters have already set off fireworks outside Slavia’s hotel [Glasgow Live], in typically petty fashion.
The Scottish Sun are reporting that the Glasgow Derby will be green-lit after tonight’s Europa League action. That is, unless there are more acts of wanton Covid ignorance which would put the fixture in question.
28 arrests were made over the 6th and 7th of March, with Rangers fans congregating across Glasgow despite Tier 4 Coronavirus restrictions. That led to condemnation from Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government. The First Minister was critical of Rangers for not emphasising the importance of staying home for safety’s sake [BBC].
“Stay home” message still vital ahead of Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park
On March 13th, Jason Leitch shared the details of a Government meeting involving both clubs and Police Scotland. The Senior Clinical Advisor to the Scottish Government told supporters:
“The message is stay at home. It’s as simple as that.
“Last night, we had a cabinet meeting led by the Minister for Justice Humza Yousaf and the Minister for Health Mairi Gougeon and the two clubs, Police Scotland’s chief constable, me and the local authority, and at that we all decided the message was to come from all of us.
“The message was to be straightforward, stay at home if you’re a fan.
“Watch the game on the telly, celebrate digitally. Of course we hope in the fullness of time to have a celebration. But for now, stay at home.”
Celtic have both been at pains to promote the idea of staying at home, especially after the Government meeting. Interim boss John Kennedy told supporters [Twitter]:
“It’s difficult for everyone. It’s a difficult period for society as a whole, but especially surrounding the game and the attention it brings. [We] want to make sure that everybody does the right thing, and stays at home and keeps everybody safe.”
With so much focus on the Derby, there’s pressure on our rivals to behave tonight. Here’s hoping we can avoid another week without football.
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