OLD FIRM COP FINAL

Horror on streets hours before Celtic v Rangers clash should never have happened, says Swinney

- RYAN THOM

SICKENING scenes of Old Firm fans marauding in the streets have been roundly condemned.

Fans groups echoed the outrage of police and politicians after clashes in Glasgow hours before Celtic played Rangers at Hampden.

Christmas shoppers dived for cover as masked Rangers fans wearing Santa Hats came face to face with Celtic ultras.

Multiple police units were scrambled to the scene in Argyle Street just after noon and one officer was hit by a missile.

A number of pyro devices were also launched at officers.

Last night, First Minister John Swinney said: "There was a completely and utterly unacceptable level of violence from a small minority of football fans.

"It caused fear and alarm for people who were quite happily going about their Christmas shopping in the centre of Glasgow and it should not, in any circumstances, have taken place." Cops also raced to Gallagher's Bar in Howard Street around 12.30pm after a firework was launched inside the Celtic pub.

Shock CCTV footage shows the moment the firework landed underneath a table before exploding and sparking panic.

Online clips also showed the pub being attacked by Rangers ultras who smashed windows. The pyro was thrown just after a man wearing a Celtic top confronted a Rangers fan at the door. The lout could be seen wearing a face-covering and a Santa hat and was stopped from entering by the Celtic supporter who throws a punch.

The same man can be seen grabbing the live firework before launching it out another entrance to the pub.