Rival Scottish Premiership manager Davie Martindale has waded into the conversation over Rangers fan celebrations after the weekend’s historic 55th title win.
Rangers have come under robust government criticism for not doing enough to prevent fans congregating at both Ibrox and in George Square to celebrate the victory.
Rangers are clear they believe they did everything in their power to prevent any gatherings and even released details of conversations and meetings regarding the subject.
Despite this, the Scottish government remain frustrated with the club with justice minister Humza Yousaf even suggesting this month’s Old Firm could be called off in the aftermath of the fan party.
But Martindale – someone who has seen firsthand the issues of Old Firm violence – backed up the club’s suggestion that they couldn’t have done much more.
Going one further, the Livingston boss also claimed that Glasgow was probably lucky the club won that title during lockdown, meaning there was no fan trouble in the celebrations.
“I don’t understand what Rangers were meant to do,” said Martindale [BT Sport].
“I was sitting debating it with someone the other day. I thought to myself, ‘Thank God we’re in lockdown when that happened’.
“I thought that because can you imagine if we weren’t? I think that city centre would have been absolutely jumping and I think there would have been a bit of violence through a lot of people congregating in one area.
“We were pretty fortunate it was probably just Rangers supporters who were out on Sunday.
“Everyone knows my background and the fact I’ve been to prison. See the amount of people who are in prison as a result of Rangers and Celtic games, it’s incredible.
“People who have lost their lives or committed a murder or drink-fuelled violence, someone’s been stabbed. Honestly there is more than you’d care to imagine.
“So I think being in a lockdown helped us slightly because it was just Rangers supporters enjoying their occasion. You never had a mix of people and fans congregating with them because they were having a Sunday night out on the town.
“But I don’t understand what Rangers were meant to have done better. I don’t know how you control that.
“I’m lucky I’ve only got 600 fans!”
Rangers will be hoping the Old Firm match on March 21st goes ahead with the Ibrox club ready to march into enemy territory as the Champions of Scotland.
Rangers fans have also lauded chairman Douglas Park for his response to the Scottish government and their continuing public vehemence towards public title celebrations over the weekend.
