Chief Superintendent Andy Bates has praised the ‘excellent behaviour’ of supporters at today’s League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
The Rangers fans’ anthem ‘The Billy Boys’, banned by UEFA and the SFA, was heard throughout the game but just 19 arrests were made.
Any claims about only a minority being involved can be dismissed with the song ringing round Hampden while ‘The Famine Song’ was also heard early in the second half.
Event commander Chief Superintendent Andy Bates, said: “As usual the vast majority of the 50,000 fans were here to enjoy the game and support their respective team; they deserve credit for their excellent behaviour.
“However, again, it is the minority of fans who spoiled the occasion by for example setting off flares and singing sectarian songs.
“We dealt with any incidents swiftly and with minimum disruption. As at 5pm, 19 men have been arrested for a number of offences – mostly alleged minor public order offences but including 10 arrests for alleged sectarian BOPs (breaches of the peace).”
On the pitch the surface at Hampden was one of the main talking points with the pitch cutting up from the first whistle.
“We are a passing team and you had no chance to pass the ball on that pitch,” Celtic boss Ronny Deila said.
“The quality of the pitch was not how the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup should be. It makes it very hard for the players. It was very hard to entertain our fans.
“If you are going to develop Scottish football you need pitches to play football on.
“If you go four, five months with poor pitches all over the country every game is going to be in the air and that is not international football, and this is the national team’s stadium.
“It has to be much better. Skill needs good pitches so this if not good enough.”