Chiefs have “no powers” to stop fans potentially causing title party mayhem if Celtic or Rangers win the league.
Bosses at Glasgow City Council have admitted they have “no powers” to prevent Celtic or Rangers fans causing carnage on the streets if either of them win the league.
Both sets of supporters have taken to the city’s streets in the last five years to celebrate title triumphs and left a wave of destruction in their wake.
Fears over repeat carnage with the final day of the Scottish Premiership season just two weeks away recently forced police and Glasgow City Council to hold talks in order to prevent similar scenes. But council chiefs have now said there are no tangible enforcements that could stop fans from gathering in the city centre.
A city council spokesman told the Sun: “It is clear there are no powers which could compel fans to not gather in the city centre.
“We have agreed to work together on facilitating celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.”
The talks between Police Scotland and the council came after violence marred the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox when both sets of fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch in March.
Concerns about potential disorder are well-founded. In 2021, after Rangers won the league for the first time in almost a decade, fans descended on George Square in defiance of Covid restrictions to celebrate.
Chaos ensued as fans started fighting each other, and riot police on horseback were sent in to try and break up the crowd. The incident saw more than 47 police officers injured and more than 50 arrests made.
The following year, thousands of Celtic fans gathered in the city centre to celebrate their title win. Although the celebrations passed without major incident, a massive clear-up job was left for council staff and residents.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the SPFL, clubs and other partner agencies ahead of end of season fixtures. Proportionate policing plans will be in place to minimise disruption and ensure public safety,” while a council spokesman added: “We are continuing to engage with both clubs and police colleagues.”
In what is set to be one of the most enthralling season finales in recent memory, Hearts, Rangers and Celtic are all set to go toe-to-toe in the final four matches of the season.
The post-split fixtures will see Celtic host Hearts in a potential title decider at Celtic Park on the final day of the season, while Rangers travel to Falkirk.
The SPFL confirmed that the final fixture list had been signed off by police and was shared with the city council for any concerns to be raised.
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