Old Firm Piece from NOTW

[WishyB 10]

SCOTLAND is on a knife edge as cops prepare to take action to prevent Old Firm mayhem after today's powderkeg SPL title-decider matches.

Worried chiefs have put more than 1,000 extra officers on the streets.

And we can reveal they'll have to cope with a planned battle between hundreds of hooligans, plus a pro- IRA demo and potential violence at dozens of other flashpoints.

Trouble between Old Firm louts has already flared this weekend in BISHOPBRIGGS, Glasgow.

Dozens of youths shouted sectarian insults and hurled bottles at each other outside Quin's pub - before they were chased off by police.

Today cops will be on alert as fans head to RUGBY PARK for the Kilmarnock v Rangers clash and CELTIC PARK to see the Hoops take on Motherwell - with the Gers just one point ahead going into the last day of the league season.

But it's feared the biggest problems will be caused by hordes of boozed-up punters watching the games on TV in pubs up and down the country.

Last night a Strathclyde Police insider told us: "We are bracing ourselves for trouble. Tension between the two sets of fans is at fever pitch.

"It's going to be a long day."

The Strathclyde force alone has an extra 1,000 officers on duty today. And their Lothian and Borders counterparts are also getting ready to stamp down on troublemakers - after we alerted them to a plot among Hibs and Celtic "casuals" to clash with Hearts and Rangers rivals tonight.

The fight is planned close to the city's MEADOWBANK area. A Hibs thug boasted: "We are going to go wild on Sunday night.

"We will be joining up with Celtic lads and the Hearts boys will help out the Rangers fans against us."

To stop cops finding out about the ruck it was organised by texts sent from pay-as-you-go mobile phones. Last night a Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "We'll have a significant amount of officers on duty to offer a proportionate response."

We have also learned that police in Glasgow are worried about a demo planned for this evening by Irish Republican group Cairde Na h'Éireann to mark the 30th anniversary of the deaths of 10 IRA hunger strikers. The organisation - which was sent a letter bomb last month - will hold the event this evening near its offices in the city's GALLOWGATE district.

A force insider said: "We are concerned this will attract Celtic fans who have been drinking all day - and Gers supporters looking for a fight."

If Celtic clinch the title, cops are on standby for an impromptu street party in ROYSTON, Glasgow, that could attract 10,000 celebrating fans.

Police will also be on the alert in streets close to IBROX Stadium, where Rangers will parade the SPL trophy if they win today. Our police source added: "We'll be going along Paisley Road West all day and night."

Officers will be stationed close to the Rowallan Bar in THORNLIEBANK, Glasgow, where 10 cops were injured in February during a mass street brawl between Old Firm fans.

There are fears Gers supporters from the Rosevale in PARTICK could battle again with rivals from the nearby Smiddy, and police want no repeat of a riot in 1999 at the Rangers pub Louden Tavern, in DENNISTOUN. It is only a short walk from Celtic pub Baird's Bar in GALLOWGATE.

On Friday, the First Minister Alex Salmond revealed plans to jail footie bigots for up to five years. Last night Supt John Thomson, of Strathclyde Police, said: "Sunday is being given the same priority as the visit of the Pope last year.

"Every police resource will be used to ensure there is no trouble. Extra officers will patrol at key flashpoints. We will not tolerate sectarian chanting or drunken behaviour."

[roidrager 10]

well they will now get mayhem, everyone knows about the march, where the parties are, all i will say is party on but watch yer backs

[Guest]

I think tomorrow glasgow will see some of the worst violence it has seen in quite a while man

[jdocherty72 215]

Thank god i don't live in Glasgow.

Mhanks would cause havoc while Rangers are winning the league.

[lgr1991 303]

And their Lothian and Borders counterparts are also getting ready to stamp down on troublemakers - after we alerted them to a plot among Hibs and Celtic "casuals" to clash with Hearts and Rangers rivals tonight.

The fight is planned close to the city's MEADOWBANK area. A Hibs thug boasted: "We are going to go wild on Sunday night.

"We will be joining up with Celtic lads and the Hearts boys will help out the Rangers fans against us."

Aye, cause the first thing they would do after arranging a rammy is boast about it and tell NOTW

[WishyB 10]

I think tomorrow glasgow will see some of the worst violence it has seen in quite a while man

Same here Im from Wishaw I think it will kick off here big time tomorrow.

[The Hammer 11 2,560]

And their Lothian and Borders counterparts are also getting ready to stamp down on troublemakers - after we alerted them to a plot among Hibs and Celtic "casuals" to clash with Hearts and Rangers rivals tonight.

The fight is planned close to the city's MEADOWBANK area. A Hibs thug boasted: "We are going to go wild on Sunday night.

"We will be joining up with Celtic lads and the Hearts boys will help out the Rangers fans against us."

Aye, cause the first thing they would do after arranging a rammy is boast about it and tell NOTW

That is the biggest load of bullshit ive ever heard do celtic and hearts even have a sizeable firm anymore?

[Thermopylae 15,286]

We had all this before the last OF game and nothing happened

[Togs 179]

It's only a powderkeg cause it looks like Rangers are gonna be the winners.

Watch your backs, bears. Lots of slimey wee taigs out there today.

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

There will be a tim free zone where I am partying

[King Jela 20,350]

There will be a tim free zone where I am partying

This.

Round the rest of yeez.

[kplfishtank 4,656]

if you walked from louden to bairds you would be knackered and unable to fight

[lgr1991 303]

That is the biggest load of bullshit ive ever heard do celtic and hearts even have a sizeable firm anymore?

Im sure Hearts do, dont know about the Mhanks, but im sure none of them would go blabbing to the NOTW

[davie1689 1]

if you walked from louden to bairds you would be knackered and unable to fight

i had a wee chuckle at that one too

[kplfishtank 4,656]

i had a wee chuckle at that one too

hows it going mate not seen you on here in a while

[davie1689 1]

hows it going mate not seen you on here in a while

hi Den

ive not been on for a wee while

but alls good in the hood pal

just getting ready to smile at our wee friends going up london road lol

hope your doin well too m8

[tommy2212 151]

A big hooligan riot in meadowbank eh lets hope the ccs get a fcuking tanking

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

on a knife edge action Old Firm mayhem powder-keg 1,000 extra officers on the streets. planned battle hundreds of hooligans pro- IRA potential violence flash-points. Trouble louts sectarian insults hurled bottles chased by police. cops on alert clash feared hordes boozed-up punters: "We are bracing ourselves for trouble. Tension is at fever pitch. troublemakers - plot among Hibs and Celtic "casuals" to clash with Hearts and Rangers rivals tonight. fight is planned Hibs thug boasted: "We are going to go wild on Sunday night. Irish Republican group Cairde Na h'Éireann deaths of 10 IRA hunger strikers. letter bomb drinking all day - and looking for a fight. mass street brawl fears battle again riot jail footie bigots trouble. flash-points. sectarian chanting drunken behaviour."

NOTW: you could hardly accuse this paper of unnecessary hyperbole, could you?

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

It's only a powderkeg cause it looks like Rangers are gonna be the winners.

Watch your backs, bears. Lots of slimey wee taigs out there today.

I expect Kilcreggan to be quiet mate.