Swinney: Rangers silence ahead of title party celebrations was 'deafening'

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the "silence from Rangers was deafening'' as he criticised the club for failing to order thousands of fans gathered in Glasgow on Sunday to go home.

Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing, he said: "The Government and Police Scotland reminded Rangers of the need to remind fans to adhere to the current restrictions in discussions on February 26 and March 5.

"It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen.

"The Scottish Government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management.''

Thousands of fans flouted the coronavirus lockdown to gather in the streets and celebrate their first top-flight title in 10 years.

Police say 28 people were arrested, and seven fines were handed out.

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “A pre-planned policing operation was instigated after Rangers FC were confirmed as league champions.

“Despite the coronavirus regulations and the prohibition of gatherings, our officers were faced with a very difficult set of circumstances as many thousands of supporters gathered to celebrate across a number of different venues.

“Our priority was public safety and this included reducing the risk of disorder, road safety and effective crowd management among the complexities of a vociferous crowd. This included established crowd control measures to prevent serious disorder in multiple areas and protect the public.

“Over the course of the day a number of minor injuries were sustained by members of the public, some of which were as a result of intoxication.

“Where it was appropriate to do so officers moved to enforcement for a variety of offences including breaches of coronavirus regulations, acts of disorder, pyrotechnic use and a number of arrests for assaulting police officers and sectarian related breach of the peace."

The mass gatherings have been widely condemned, with the First Minister warning that the celebrations could jeopardise plans to ease the coronavirus restrictions.

John Swinney said: "I think it would have been the duty of Rangers to say clearly and simply to fans that they shouldn't have come out to celebrate and when they did they should have gone home.

"The silence from Rangers was deafening - that's a matter of profound regret.

"If the club, on a day which I acknowledge is a day of joy for the club, had said to its fans to follow restrictions which are in place - like every other citizen - and had gone home and avoided the crowded scenes that we had outside Ibrox and in George Square.

"The messaging of that type from the club I think could have helped to diffuse the situation and crucially to disperse the crowds."

'Infuriating and disgraceful'

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "I share folks' anger at this.

"Everyone has made so many sacrifices in the past year and seeing a minority risk our progress is infuriating and disgraceful.

"It is deeply unfair to the entire country, and the police have a hard enough job already.

"Please ask fans to go home @RangersFC''.

Ms Sturgeon had previously offered her congratulations to Rangers and said: "I congratulate @RangersFC on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans.

"But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else.

"If those gathering care at all about the safety of others and the country, they will go home.''

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf also asked fans to stay at home.

He wrote on Twitter: "I understand Rangers fans will be desperate to celebrate but please remember you must stay at home.

"No mass gatherings are allowed. We cannot risk any further spread of the virus.''

Mr Yousaf warned that "Uefa will also be paying close attention as the Euros are around the corner''.

Hampden Park in Glasgow is due to host some games of the delayed 2020 European Championships in the summer.

Alan Irvine, 43, from Glasgow, was out celebrating with his daughter Katie, 12, and son Lewis, six.

"The atmosphere when Steven Gerrard appeared was amazing,'' Mr Irvine said. "He has now achieved a God-like status.

"This is the first title win of Lewis's life and the first that Katie can remember as she was only a baby the last time. It was an amazing experience to see my children enjoy the success I experienced when I was a young Rangers supporter.

"As for any criticism, then I can only speak from what I have seen outside the Rangers training centre, and the absolute majority were wearing face coverings and adhering, as much as possible, to social distancing. In fact, I've seen less social distancing in some retailers.''

'We've been to hell and back'

Darryl Mclean, a 34-year-old logistics manager from Glasgow, added: "I'm outside Ibrox stadium, thousands of people here.

"It's very emotional, as fans we have been to hell and back, watching greedy directors out for themselves, been taken to the brink of extinction.

"But we stood firm and supported the club through thick and thin.

"I know we are not meant to be meeting outside at the moment but the occasion was just too momentous, it's like Christmas for Rangers!''

Following Rangers' victory on Saturday, fans broke coronavirus lockdown rules as they gathered in numbers outside Ibrox setting off flares.

Police said no arrests were made.

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