Nine fans arrested after Old Firm clash

POLICE make only nine arrests for '˜minor' offences at semi-final match, won by Rangers on a penalty shoot-out.

Rangers fans celebrate after beating Celtic in Scottish Cup semi final. Picture: SNS Group/Craig Williamson

Supporters were wanred to be on their best behaviour prioer to the much anticipated Old Firm game between Celtic and Rangers - only their second meeting since the Ibrox club dropped down the leagues.

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’.

These included breach of the peace, sectarian singing and pitch incursion.

Police Scotland had also said any pub screening the semi-final would be deemed to be a “football ground” in law.

Anyone committing an offence there could be given a football banning order and barred from attending future games.

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

In addition, police visited pubs to “offer safety advice” ahead of the game and spoke with “known violent offenders” deemed to pose a risk of disorder.

Patrols were also stepped up on Sunday, focusing on pubs and the conduct of travelling fans and preventing disorder.

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

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