Top cop hits out at bitter Old Firm rivals for failing to condemn toxic scenes at Ibrox

Sunday's events were absolutely disgraceful but nobody from the clubs has come out to condemn the violence

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON

TOUGH JOB Officers struggle to hold back the warring fans

SCOTLAND'S top cop has hit out at both Old Firm clubs for failing to condemn disorder among fans at Sunday's powder-keg cup tie.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell briefed MSPs yesterday on the violence at Ibrox which saw fans invade the pitch after Celtic beat Rangers on penalties.

Running battles took place and a child was among those injured in scenes branded "shameful" by First Minister John Swinney.

Farrell told MSPs: "The events of Sunday were disgraceful and I condemn the people involved in violence.

"Fans, families, friends, people working at the clubs, and my officers, do not go to work within that environment to witness or be on the receiving end of threats and violence.

"I think that there's a point of reflection that at the same time policing was responding to those events, members of the public were injured, officers were injured.

"Lots of coverage in the media in relation to the events of Sunday afternoon, when we got to Monday evening, there was still no commentary from either of those clubs in respect of the violence that was witnessed. Nobody came out to condemn that violence."

Dozens of travelling fans entered the pitch to celebrate Celtic's victory and more than 100 Rangers supporters charged to confront them.