rangersxfc 265 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Police Chief: We Can't Risk Having Old Firm Title DeciderMar 22 2008 Exclusive by Paul O'HareFOOTBALL cop Kevin Smith last night told officials and fans that if there's an Old Firm title decider, they can police it themselves.The Strathclyde Assistant Chief Constable is haunted by memories of the winner-take-all "Game of Shame" between the Glasgow giants in 1999.And if football bosses let Rangers and Celtic face off for the title again, he doesn't want to think about what might follow.Smith, Scotland's leading police expert on football issues, admits that a Celtic-Rangers decider would be "a great sporting spectacle".But he still cannot face a repeat of 1999.He said: "If any football person wants that to happen, I will swap places with them."I'll take on the football role and they can come and police it."The Old Firm go into this weekend's games with Rangers three points ahead of Celtic, and a horrific fixture pile-up means they still have to play each other three times.Smith conceded that SPL planners face a nightmare task as they try to avoid a decider.But he said: "I rely on them to manage their fixtures. I appreciate that it is a difficult position but that does not mean it is impossible."The last time the Old Firm clashed with the title on the line was at Celtic Park on May 2 1999.And no football fan who saw the scenes at Celtic Park that day will ever want to see them repeated.As the match threatened to descend into chaos, referee Hugh Dallas was left bleeding on the ground by a 50p coin hurled from the stands. He needed four stitches in a gaping wound to his forehead.Three players, Celtic stars Stephane Mahe and Vidar Riseth and Rangers striker Rod Wallace, were sent off.Players had to intervene to protect Dallas after a crazed fan invaded the pitch.And as the atmosphere among the fans boiled over, one supporter plunged from the top tier of the stand and crashed into the people below.The chaos at Parkhead spread across Scotland after the game, which Rangers won 3-0 to take the title.By the next morning, police had made 113 football-related arrests.Smith said: "I have spoken to colleagues with vast experience of policing Old Firm matches and other events, and it was the worst experience they have had."What some people forget is that when we police any match, particularly an Old Firm match, it is not simply the hour before kick-off, the game, and the half hour it takes the stadium to empty."Often, the impact of games will be seen at 10pm and 11pm that night, and at 1am and 2am the next day."The sectarian element is only part of it. The vast majority of Celtic and Rangers fans don't get involved in sectarian issues."In terms of the title decider, it is the wider issue of a 60,000 crowd and the tensions that will come from their team winning or losing."The Game of Shame kicked off at 6.05pm, giving fans all day to get drunk before the start. But Smith believes that even with a 12.30pm start, an Old Firm decider would be too hot to handle.He has a wealth of experience to draw on, after serving as match commander at Celtic Park from 2001 to 2005. Today, he speaks on football issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.Many in football believe it's a sad indictment of our national game that it is not considered safe to stage a title decider between the country's two biggest clubs.Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has admitted he would love to take on Rangers with the SPL trophy at stake.He said recently: "If it's still neck and neck, bring it on. I think everybody will enjoy that."It would be very nervous but if we are still in there at the end, we would be delighted."If it ends up that way, then fine. It might be finished before that, you never know, but it sounds intriguing."Celtic season ticket holder Patrick Donaldson, 42, insisted: "If it does come down to one match, it's up to the police to have the resources in place to deal with it."Other countries do not try to avoid what would be a thrilling climax to the season."Patrick, from Dumbarton, added: "Celtic fans would relish the prospect of a decider."It's too hard to keep manufacturing the fixtures list to ensure the title does not come down to an Old Firm game, especially with three derby matches still to play."John Macmillan, general secretary of the Rangers Supporters Association, also believes fans would relish a decider. He said: "It would be some spectacle. Both teams would go all out to win."I'm not totally convinced there would be trouble. I think things have calmed down quite a bit in recent years."It is a hard one to call. I can understand that concerns would be raised in some quarters because there is the potential for trouble."But regardless of when the games take place, they could virtually be title deciders anyway."Thousands of fans want to see a decider but the SPL are highly unlikely to grant their wish.League Secretary Ian Blair believes any repeat of 1999 would be a disaster for the Scottish game.e said: "We have to be mindful of wider responsibilities."I see what football people are saying about how it would be a great climax to an exciting season."But I have to look beyond football in the discussions with police and the clubs involved."We have to remember the last time this happened. All the headlines were centred on unsavoury incidents rather than the football."If that happened again, I do not believe it would be good for the SPL." Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 That day was what football should be like. Brilliant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
debear 603 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 This ones slightly different in that its pre-split so date already decided, not being programmed in post split to make it a decider. There was an option on the date of that game, but not this.Plus, they are so far ahead, its not really a decider. Its not like tensions will be high cause its winner takes all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoody 103 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It was the greatest OF I've ever witnessed Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOAT 30,449 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Why an article from 2008?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,624 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It was disgusting behaviour from the scum and still it seems to be called shame game and include us as if we played some part in the way the absolute filth acted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosesMcNeil 1,664 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 That day was what football should be like. Brilliant.I could handle horsing taigery 3-0 every match for the rest of my days. Brilliant indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It was disgusting behaviour from the scum and still it seems to be called shame game and include us as if we played some part in the way the absolute filth acted.We did though.We fucked them 3-0! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangersxfc 265 Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Why an article from 2008??double standards of the scottish media dont see why a need to point this out when its all there in black and white Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritishBear 34 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 What a game.Let's be honest though because Strathclyde Police, The SPL, SFA, Media won't be. It's okay to have it at Ibrox, because we aren't fucking animals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
debear 603 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 double standards of the scottish media dont see why a need to point this out when its all there in black and whiteDid the media arrange the date of the game? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyc06 6,927 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 To be fair, it's the way they conducted themselfs that caused the bother that day, as long as we are on our best behaviour on Sunday, which I'm sure we will be, then I don't see why it shouldn't go ahead! If they want to ruin it let them!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guardian 4,281 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Carlsberg don't do football games, but if they did - Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangersxfc 265 Posted March 21, 2012 Author Share Posted March 21, 2012 Did the media arrange the date of the game?nah but they told us the police would never allow a title decider to be played ....and i agree the game should be played a cant wait that was never my point Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
debear 603 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 nah but they told us the police would never allow a title decider to be played ....and i agree the game should be played a cant wait that was never my pointThey are paraphrasing a police chief, not making a rule. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 double standards of the scottish media dont see why a need to point this out when its all there in black and whiteWhat double standards are you not needing to point out? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis 1,011 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 If it was the other way round the game would be off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 If it was the other way round the game would be off.It wouldn't. It was too late in the day to cancel it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 It was the greatest OF I've ever witnessedIt was the greatest DAY of my life Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyc06 6,927 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 If it was the other way round the game would be off.No it wouldn't! Wish people would leave the paranoia to that mob!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordo7 147 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 That brings back some fond memories. Don't think i'll ever forget that day. Watched the game in the Jean Armour, then headed into Shawlands to celebrate. Ended up walking home to East Kilbride that night as i had ran out of money. Took me about 3hours, pished :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Why an article from 2008??Thats what i was thinking when i read Rangers go into the game three points ahead of Celtic i thought i had been on another plant the last 6 months there for a minute. Had to read that line a couple of time to click on it was from 2008. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 The thing that annoys me that it's called "old firm shame game" Why is it called that?It was the Celtic supporters who ambushed the ref with coins and one of there own fans jumping from the top tier of the stand. It should be called the "Celtic shame game" as it was them that caused it. All because Rangers won the league at there ground. And they are the reason why the games kick off at 12:30. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
50ShadesofBlue 667 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Don't worry boys, they won't be winning anything this Sunday.We'll get a last minute penalty and score to win leaving Lennon spitting at the mouth over an obvious dive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace1 49 Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 Don't worry boys, they won't be winning anything this Sunday.We'll get a last minute penalty and score to win leaving Lennon spitting at the mouth over an obvious dive.Now that deserves an approval! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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