Nine Arrested At Hampden Old Firm Match

18 April 2016, 06:22

football Celtic Rangers

Fewer than 10 people were arrested as thousands of fans attended the first Old Firm clash in more than a year, won by Rangers in a penalty shoot-out.

Police Scotland had warned fans to be on their best behaviour at Hampden Park and in pubs across the country during the Scottish Cup semi-final and the match seemed to pass without major incident off the park.

Nine men aged between 18 and 56 were arrested at the game and will be reported to the procurator fiscal for "minor public order offences'' such as breach of the peace, sectarian singing and pitch incursion, police said.

Earlier in the week, senior officers said a ''small minority who spoil the occasion for others'' will be targeted before the game.

Officers also visited known domestic abusers ahead of the game as they said history shows a rise in drink-fuelled violence around an Old Firm tie.

Rangers, currently playing in the league below Celtic, won the match on penalties after extra time finished 2-2.

Victorious manager Mark Warburton said: ''The club has been into a dark place in the last four, five years and they've deserved this so hopefully they enjoy this and we move forward.

''I'm delighted, listen outside, the fans were magnificent, the players were outstanding. I thought we deserved it and that's the most important thing. It went to penalties and credit to both teams, but I felt we deserved it over the course of the game.``

The last meeting between the sides finished 2-0 to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup last February.

With Rangers winning the Scottish Championship, Old Firm games will become a regular fixture in the Scottish Premiership again from next season.