Five arrested following Rangers crowd disturbances

CROWD trouble flared at Livingston yesterday as scuffles between Rangers supporters and police and stewards resulted in five arrests among the visiting supporters.

And there were reports of further disturbances outside the ground after the 1-0 win for Ally McCoist’s side, with mounted police officers required to restore order.

The problems arose midway through the first period when a group of Rangers supporters in the corner of the away section objected to the police attempting to make an arrest from among their number.

A melee then followed, with Livingston safety officer Alan Scott later confirming the actions taken by the authorities.

“There were five people arrested,” Scott confirmed.

“The stewards and police assisted each other in dealing with the matter and no police or stewards were injured.”

McCoist admitted that the scenes had done the Scottish game no favours. “I did see it and it looked pretty unsavoury but until I get a report on it, I would be loath to comment other than to say we can do without incidents like that,” the Rangers manager said.

McCoist was happier to reflect on Lewis Macleod’s stunning winner as Rangers ended a testing week with a much-needed win. Beaten by Hibernian on Monday as they dropped six points behind Scottish Championship leaders Hearts, Macleod returned to the side after two weeks out with an ankle injury and crashed an incredible overhead kick past Darren Jamieson in the eighth minute to hand Rangers the victory.

It was a carbon copy of the Scotland Under-21 cap’s acrobatic effort against Ayr United last season and McCoist said: “His technique is absolutely outstanding. Dear me, it is a top, top goal. I thought his goal down at Ayr last season would take a bit of beating but that one might even be better. To have the technique to do that is wonderful.

“Lewis has been terrific for us since he came back in this season. He had a tough time with illness last year but we think he is a great talent that we can look after and nurture.”

Hearts, meanwhile, won 3-0 at Queen of the South.