Evening Times pish again yet again quoting witnesses and their accounts without any evidence some of the reports are really getting beyond a joke.
DISMAYED residents in the city centre have hit out at
Rangers fans who “dominated” the area at the weekend, describing scenes that unfolded as “a warzone without the guns”.
Locals have revealed that they were either “too intimidated” to enter the streets on Saturday or forced to take diversions around title celebrations on their way to and from work.
A number of residents that did pluck up the courage to leave their homes have claimed they were subjected to a string of sickening sectarian and racist attacks.
Dr Duncan MacLaren, chairman of the Merchant City and Trongate Community
Council, has spoken on behalf of the locals he represents.
He said: “Around 4000 people live in the city centre and most of them were too intimidated to venture forth on Saturday night because of the so-called celebrations of so-called Rangers fans.
“It was like being in a war zone without the guns. People were attacked for having green on their uniforms, for being brown or for wearing a headscarf or for being the police who were trying to keep the peace. Some of the ‘fans’ spat at people and were heard to say, ‘we’ll give you Covid’.
“There were flares everywhere from the afternoon which endangered all of us and could have caused serious fires. Anti-Catholic songs were sung as if they were pop songs – the hatred hung in the air.”
It is the second time that people living in the area have had to endure gatherings after Rangers fans congregated at George Square in March to celebrate Scottish Premiership victory.
Liam McNally, who lives on Ingram Street, said: “The violence was worse this time around, I think.
“A sectarian song was chanted at my friend and I – it wasn’t nice.
“There are fans out there that wanted to celebrate responsibly so it is just a shame that the violence clearly overpowered any means of a peaceful gathering. I know that Public Order officers were called in but for a while it felt like they were dominating the area.
“It’s not fair for residents in the area, especially families with kids. Nobody wants to be locked up in their flats all weekend.”
Sarah English, who lives in Blythswood, added: “How many times will we let the city become an unsafe place for its residents?
“As any community, all we want is to be able to walk home and feel safe and yet from the start of Saturday the city was made a war zone.
“We should not be forced to take diversions, walk through broken glass and dodge people mindlessly punching others dressed in the same colours. Inebriated ‘fans’ shouted abuse at my friend for no reason – how is any city centre resident meant to feel safe?”
Initially, Police
Scotland said that the celebrations had been peaceful but riot cops were soon drafted to the scene after violent incidents started to break out.
Alexander Stephenson, who lives on George Street, said: “The scenes I saw outside my window were disgusting. I know Rangers fans – I know they were disgusted by this too, and at the police.
“The police approach was ridiculous. I understand and agree they cannot and should not simply charge a mass of fans to clear them out and that diplomacy was off the menu.
“But their strategy to take away alcohol and fireworks failed. I saw it with my own eyes.”
Almost 30 arrests were made throughout the day for a wide range of offences while officers have warned that more are on the way.
A dedicated task force has since been set up by Police Scotland to investigate the
“violence and disorder” that took place at George Square.
On Monday, Rangers Football Club condemned the “small minority” of fans who “besmirched the good name” during celebrations.
Ruth Suter
