John Swinney has described a pre-match display by Rangers fans as ‘unacceptable’ after a giant image of Graeme Souness pointing a shotgun was unveiled ahead of Sunday’s final Old Firm clash of the season at Ibrox.
Unfurled in the section of the Copland Road end populated by the ultras group the Union Bears, the tifo depicted the former Rangers and Scotland midfielder holding the weapon above a banner which said: ‘Take aim against the rebel scum.’
It’s now emerged that the issue is in the hands of the police with the tifo display in their possession as an investigation gets underway.
Several items, including a glass bottle, were also thrown into Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo’s penalty area in the second half of the 1-1 draw.
Police are also investigating a Celtic fan who was filmed apparently mocking the Ibrox disaster in which 66 supporters lost their lives 54 years ago.
In addition, they are looking into an incident during the St Mirren v Aberdeen game the previous day when a number of Dons supporters were heard mocking a Buddies fan with additional support needs.
The tifo before Sunday’s final Old Firm derby of the season has caused controversy
Rangers’ Neraysho Kasanwirjo clears away a glass bottle that was thrown onto the pitch
Speaking as he opened a new Heineken office in Edinburgh, where he poured a pint of the brand’s alcohol-free beer, the First Minister hit out at the tifo image which was viewed throughout the world.
Speaking afterwards, he said it was ‘vital’ to have respectful behaviour at matches and that the Scottish Government would ‘reflect’ on the display.
‘That has to be followed by the clubs involved,’ he stressed. ‘If there are issues that require the involvement of the police then the police have to be involved in these issues.’
He continued: ‘Obviously there was a banner displayed which was unacceptable at the weekend.
‘These issues have to be addressed by the clubs themselves but also by the police if they judge it appropriate to do so. And that judgment fundamentally rests with the police in that respect.’
Asked about the image, he said: ‘I don’t think that was an appropriate image. But it’s for the club to reflect on that issue, to address any issues and for the police to make their judgment about that matter as well.’
Coming after Celtic equalised in the second half, the bottle throwing incident is the latest to mar derbies at Ibrox.
Three years ago, a bottle smashed in then Celtic keeper Joe Hart’s goalmouth with a member of their backroom staff also requiring medical treatment after being struck by a missile.
The glass bottle was another incident of missiles being thrown at players during derbies
In January, midfielder Arne Engels was also hit by a coin allegedly thrown from a fan in the home section.
Such incidents won’t help the cause of those who have long campaigned for football supporters to again be permitted to consume alcohol inside stadiums in Scotland.
Swinney said that despite calls from the drinks industry, he is not planning to change the Government’s position on the issue any time soon.
‘I’ve made clear that I don’t propose to change the approach we take on the alcohol ban at football,’ he added.
On Sunday evening, Rangers issued a statement condemning the bottle-throwing and making clear the club did not approve of the tifo image.
It said: ‘Rangers Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who threw a bottle during today’s match. This behaviour has no place at our stadium.
‘Steps have already been taken to identify the person responsible, and the club will take the strongest possible action once their identity is confirmed.
‘We also acknowledge that the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable. Our approach to supporter displays has always been built on trust, with the responsibility placed on groups to exercise good judgment.
‘We will reflect on how these displays are managed and engage with supporter groups to ensure the right balance of trust, responsibility and oversight is maintained moving forward.
‘Rangers is proud of its passionate fanbase, and we all share a duty to protect the standards and reputation of our club.’
Police Scotland confirmed that the tifo was now in their possession amid an ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the banner and enquiries are ongoing.’
They’ve also launched an investigation after images surfaced on social media of a Celtic supporter taunting Rangers fans by holding up his mobile phone with the number 66 clearly visible on the handset.
That is the number of Rangers fans who lost their lives in the Ibrox disaster on January 2, 1971.
The individual can be seen putting his phone away before then showing the number six twice with his fingers and mimicking falling over with his hands.
‘We are aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing,’ added a police spokesperson.
A separate enquiry has also been launched following Saturday’s match in Paisley in which a number of Aberdeen fans mocked a rival supporter.
St Mirren released a statement confirming they’re working with Police Scotland to identify the individuals responsible.
‘St Mirren Football club is appalled by the contents of a video circulating on social media that shows a St Mirren fan with additional support needs being verbally abused by opposition supporters during Saturday’s match,’ it read.
‘We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place at our stadium, in football or wider society.
‘Our “Everyone is Welcome, We’re all Buddies” campaign promotes inclusivity at St Mirren Football Club and we want to make the match day experience at The SMiSA Stadium an enjoyable one for everyone.
‘The club will work with Aberdeen FC and relevant authorities to identify and persons responsible.’
A spokesperson for Aberdeen said: ‘We are aware of a clip that has been circulated on social media from Saturday’s match at the SMiSA Stadium.
‘The chant is totally unacceptable and not befitting the outstanding Aberdeen support that we experience from the vast majority, both at Pittodrie and on the road.
‘We would like to apologise to the St Mirren fan involved and will work with the relevant authorities to assist their investigation.’
