THOUSANDS of Rangers fans gathered in the centre of Glasgow in scenes described as “selfish and irresponsible”.
Fans sang and danced in George Square after Steven Gerrard’s side defeated Aberdeen 4-0 at Ibrox on the day the club lifted the silverware for winning their first Scottish Premiership in a decade.
The celebrations come despite warnings against gathering due to rising Covid-19 cases in Glasgow.
Police Scotland said they had made arrests in relation to anti-social behaviour, but a senior officer said it would not have been proportionate to disperse the crowd at George Square by force.
READ MORE: Three police officers injured and 20 people arrested as Rangers fan celebrate title
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf hit out at “selfish and irresponsible behaviour”.
The fans in George Square were fringed by around two dozen police officers.
Earlier, fans outside Ibrox cheered and chanted as the Rangers players arrived for the 12.30pm kick-off.
Police Scotland had called on them to “disperse and take personal responsibility”.
The Scottish Government previously criticised Rangers’s response after thousands of fans gathered outside Ibrox and in George Square on the weekend they clinched the title in early March.
Chief superintendent Mark Sutherland said yesterday a request for a fan procession to the city centre had been declined, but police later decided to escort large groups of supporters as they made their way to George Square to minimise disruption.
He added: “Given the largely peaceful nature of the crowd, it would not be proportionate for our resources to use a high level of force through public order policing to disperse those gathering.”
Responding to the gatherings, Yousaf said: “I understand the significance of this day for Rangers fans but I am extremely disappointed that supporters have once again ignored Covid regulations and chosen to gather in large numbers in Glasgow.
“This selfish and irresponsible behaviour endangers the lives of others – supporters, the police on duty and the wider community.
“I want to thank the police for incredibly difficult job they are doing keeping our communities safe throughout the pandemic.
“We have already discussed this with Rangers and will liaise with Police Scotland and the football authorities to consider what further action can be taken.”
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