Displaying an audacious level of arrogance, some have managed to assess last Sunday’s events at Ibrox and conclude, four days later, that the police were the only ones worthy of blame.
This was precisely the narrative pushed by Celtic and their interim chairman, Brian Wilson, on Thursday evening. The approach was a disappointing spectacle.
It was no surprise that Celtic remained silent about the Scottish Cup quarter-final disturbances until Rangers addressed the issue. All week, it felt like both Glasgow clubs were locked in a standoff, waiting to see who would make the first move with a public statement.
Regardless of whether it involved sectarian chants or the mocking of tragedies, none of it is acceptable and should not be condoned. Football rivalries cannot justify such appalling behavior.
Rangers, in their statement, declared, “The disorder that occurred on Sunday was unacceptable, and we condemn it unequivocally,” offering a stronger stance than Celtic’s response.
Celtic interim chairman Brian Wilson’s comments could be detrimental to his club and Scottish football
While Rangers defended their supporters, there was no direct criticism aimed at the police. However, with the Scottish Football Association (SFA) launching an independent investigation into ‘match-day safety and security operations,’ the actions of the police are indeed coming under scrutiny.
Celtic, it would seem, are fairly certain that the police should carry the can for what happened, and it certainly smacks of a cynical strategy in a season when they have been at constant war with a section of their support.
Don’t forget, an olive branch was being offered to the Green Brigade on Thursday night at the same as Wilson was filleting Chief Constable Jo Farrell for having the temerity to point out – correctly – that the Old Firm had failed to condemn what happened at Ibrox.
‘When there is evidence of unacceptable behaviours, we act against both individuals and groups,’ said Wilson.
‘Measuring responses by condemnatory statements isn’t really accurate. If this could be resolved by statements of condemnation, it would have been resolved decades ago. It is actions that matter.
‘If you’re going to ask for condemnation, you have to be more specific. There are certainly things that I would happily condemn and regret.’
One would hope that Wilson will one day regret such disingenuous words.
It’s not difficult to understand that the starting point to resolving any issue is admitting that a problem exists. Condemning poor fan behaviour won’t stop it, but it at least proves that all parties involved are on the same page.
Disgraceful scenes at Ibrox as an injured steward is helped off the park during pitch invasion
Old Firm thugs marred the Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic
If actions matter, then Wilson has opened the door wide open for that – and it could well be to the detriment of Celtic and the Scottish game as a whole.
Why, exactly, should the police or politicians be sympathetic to football’s plight if those at the top of the game simply shrug their shoulders and deflect when violent scenes occur either in or outside a stadium?
Almost immediately after the cup tie, there was a fear that alcohol trials at stadia across Scottish football would be put on hold. The authorities might not feel too generous if they are being told that even recognising poor behaviour from fans is too much of an ask from clubs.
There’s also now the issue of away fans being present at Old Firm derbies, and the police are key to that happening.
It’s only right that there is a review into what happened at Ibrox and that it establishes if there were failings on the side of the police. But that is only to ensure that fans from both sides can attend derbies safely and securely. Surely everyone wants that?
The way the match was policed is not an excuse for violent scenes and poor fan behaviour. Nor should the police be scapegoats for club hierarchies with their own agendas.
With the Premiership title still at stake, both Rangers and Celtic will have been keen to keep their supporters on side for the run-in. But the reputation of Scottish football is worth more than that.
This should be a season to be relished, with St Mirren winning a cup and Hearts sitting top of the league – it’s been the most exciting and unpredictable campaign we have had in a long time.
That is in danger of being overshadowed by our game’s two biggest clubs. Such behaviour is depressing but, alas, not terribly surprising.
