Old Firm offer a united front

Soccer: Celtic and Rangers believe the response to their plea for help to combat bigotry and violence surrounding the Old Firm derby has been positive after a summit was held in Edinburgh today.

At the request of Strathclyde Police chief constable Stephen House, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond hosted a meeting where the fall-out of last week’s Old Firm clash was discussed as Government, police and football officials seek a resolution to the problem of sectarianism and bad behaviour both on and off the field.

An eight-point joint statement was issued by the attendees of the meeting, while Celtic and Rangers published their own six-point plan as the meeting was declared a success by Salmond.

The proposals tackle everything from considerations over alcohol availability to the scheduling of fixtures and the on-field behaviour of players and club officials. With measures already in place and agreement that no football club was responsible for the widespread crime which surrounds the fixture, support was sought by the teams.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “How much more can the clubs do? We need help. The stigma always attaches itself to Celtic and Rangers. How much more can we physically do?”

Lawwell and Rangers chief executive Martin Bain believe the media reaction to last week’s volatile Scottish Cup tie at Parkhead, which saw three Rangers players sent off and coaches Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist clash on the touchline, was over the top.

However, the clubs admit criminality increases surrounding the match.

“We recognise our responsibility,” added Lawwell. “When you look at some of the images and some of the ill-informed comment it certainly wasn’t helpful.

“There was an over-reaction, but I don’t think you can lose sight of the main issue — domestic violence and violence spiking after games.”

Bain said: “We have a responsibility. I do think some of the pictures some of the scenes was an over-reaction, but that’s not in any way to say that I don’t understand the responsibility we have as a football club to society.”

All those present condemned the recent death threats made to Lennon. The Celtic boss was the intended recipient of bullets in the post earlier this season, while he required heightened personal security following further threats after last week’s match.

Lawwell believes Lennon’s personal situation contributed to his reaction at the final whistle and the confrontation with McCoist, but that both Celtic and Rangers had moved on from the match.

The Celtic chief executive said: “There was no way we could condone Neil’s behaviour, he slipped below the very high standards we have at Celtic and he recognises that. In terms of mitigating factors we need to understand what’s going on in his life at the moment.

“He’s a man who is under enormous pressure as Celtic manager, but other than that he’s got to put up with the live ammunition going through the post, the bomb threats, 24-hour surveillance, the security measures the club are putting in place with Strathclyde Police.

“It’s quite a lot to take on at the moment.”