George Square: Three police injured and 20 arrested as Rangers fans dispersed in Glasgow

Three police officers were injured and 20 people arrested after authorities dispersed a large crowd of celebrating Rangers fans in central Glasgow due to “rising disorder”.

Thousands of supporters took to the streets in celebration of Rangers’ first Scottish Premiership trophy in a decade, with many marching from Ibrox to George Square despite warnings against large gatherings due to coronavirus.

After supporters celebrated in the city centre square for hours on Saturday – singing, dancing and setting off fireworks – police said some fans became unruly, with property damaged, people assaulted and missiles and flares being thrown at officers.

Rangers fans gather at George Square on Saturday afternoon

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said on Twitter that “many more arrests will follow in the coming weeks”.

Footage on social media showed packs of fans brawling with each other, and launching traffic cones, plastic bollards and other missiles at lines of riot gear-clad police officers.

Images showed George Square strewn with hundreds of broken bottles, plastic bags and spent flares after crowds were moved out of the area.

Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said on Sunday it was “disgraceful” that officers were subject to “the kind of thuggery we saw last night”.

He tweeted: “Incidents of violence, disorder, anti-Catholic & any other hatred will be followed up.”

Police formed a line and cleared the group from the area just after 9pm, with Police Scotland describing the fans’ behaviour as “disgraceful”.

“Our officers became the focus of the crowd’s attention with missiles and flares being thrown at them,” chief superintendent Mark Sutherland, Police Scotland’s Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow said in a statement.

“Our policing response has been proportionate. We have responded appropriately and consistently to the behaviour of those gathered.