CUP FINAL CARNAGE
Shock moment Celtic & Rangers ultras clash as terrified Christmas shoppers left petrified by pyro in doorway
Shoppers were forced to take cover as chaos broke out in the city centre
THIS is the shocking moment that saw Celtic and Rangers ultras clashing in Glasgow city centre ahead of the Premier Sports Cup Final.
The footage - seemingly shot from within the HMV store on Argyle Street - shows Christmas shoppers forced to take shelter as a large number of fans run past, with a heavy police presence and PYRO being lit right in front of them.
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Celtic and Rangers are meeting at Hampden Park with the first silverware of the season on the line with 50,000 fans in attendance at the national stadium.
Both the Celtic ultras group the Green Brigade and Rangers ultras group the Union Bears have been spotted in the city centre in the lead-up to the game.
Hoops ultras were spotted in the Merchant City area while the Rangers ultras were spotted walking past Glasgow Central Station with a heavy police presence.
At some point, both groups appeared to come into contact with each other as several pieces of video footage showed.
In the first video, shot from just inside the doors of the HMV store on Argyle Street, a large group of Rangers ultras - wearing Santa hats - can be seen running down the street, heading from the direction of where Merchant City is and running towards the Central Station end of Argyle Street.
Plenty of shouting can be heard and a couple of people end up on the ground.
A woman can be heard shouting as another woman attempts to make it out of the HMV store, only to be forced back inside amid the commotion.
Just moments after the Rangers ultras run past the shop, they are swiftly followed in the footage by a group of Celtic ultras.
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As they come into shot, a flare is lit right outside the HMV store, with punters attempting to make it out of the shop once again forced back inside.
There's a heavy police presence, with officers seen shouting and ordering Celtic ultras back the way.
Moment Rangers fans clash with police in Glasgow city centre before Celtic Old Firm showdown
One officer can be seen using a baton in an attempt to force the Celtic ultras back, but the majority of them make it through where the officers are.
Police Scotland subsequently confirmed they had dealt with 'a number of incidents of disorder and violence' in Glasgow city centre.
They said missiles had been thrown at police on Argyle Street.
As a result, Superintendent Stevie Dolan authorised police officers to use section 60 stop and search powers across various parts of the city.
In a statement, Superintendent Dolan said: “We have dealt with a number of incidents in Glasgow city centre today involving individuals engaging in disorder and violence across the city.
"Officers have had to act swiftly and robustly to ensure public safety and reduce disorder.
"The use of weapons or violence will not be tolerated and officers will take action where necessary to ensure safety. It impacts other members of the public and the vast majority of football supporters who want to enjoy the cup final event safely.
"Officers will remain in the city as our operation continues and anyone with any concerns can approach them."
Other footage seen by the Scottish Sun, shot from a higher angle shows the same incident unfolding.
As mentioned, earlier footage showed the Celtic ultras walking down Glassford Street.
Around a similar time, the Rangers ultras had gathered on Gordon Street outside Central Station amid a heavy police presence.
An industrial building in Glasgow was also vandalised with graffiti by Rangers ultras, too.
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A ScotRail train earlier this week was also spray painted by Celtic ultras.
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Celtic & Rangers player ratings
By Derek McGregor and Kenny MacDonald
CELTIC
KASPER SCHMEICHEL: Early stop from deflected Hagi shot. Held Balogun header. Pushed out Igamane shot for Bajrami tap-in. Beat away Cerny shot. Poor at Cerny cross for Danilo header. Shoot-out save turned it…7
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON: Recovered from a hip knock but troubled by Hagi. Also had Raskin over him like a rash during attacking forays. Solid second half. Replaced at 70 minutes and he was a miss…6
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS: Unsure header from Tavernier long ball created Hagi chance. Magnificent defending to get a block on Bajrami when Gers were 4 on 2. Always a strong figure at back. Booked…7
AUSTON TRUSTY: Commanding presence, strong when he had to be in challenges and composed on ball, faultless use of it. Hefty collision with Balogun. Subbed half time, likely injured…5
GREG TAYLOR: Celts future up in air, didn’t do popularity with fans any good with shocking pass for Gers opener. Got away with another blunder. Levelled with 20-yard shot deflected of Raskin. Subbed…5
CALLUM MCGREGOR: Skipper unusually subdued first half but whole of Celtic midfield was stifled. Never question his competitiveness, got stuck in. Nerves of steel with shoot-out penalty. Equal with Billy McNeill on 23 trophies…7
PAULO BERNARDO: He’s ahead of Engles just now and that comes with a pressure to prove he’s better than £11 million man. Free-kick blocked. Reasonable game. Replaced after 70 minutes…6
REO HATATE: At times looked pedestrian, had to do more to move his Gers counterparts about. Big early chance saved by Butland. Improved second half and had close range effort parried. Shoot-out penalty…7
NICOLAS KUHN: Stunning pace to get in behind and leave marker for dead, tried to cut across Butland but keeper denied him. BIG chance. Skinned Jefte, shot saved. Clinical finish for Celtic’s third. Subbed…8
DAIZEN MAEDA: Found Tavernier lot more difficult but also surprisingly got little of the ball. Second half lively, brilliant opportunistic goal, control and finish. Faded towards extra time. But then emphatically struck shoot-out winner…8
KYOGO FURUHASHI: Scourge of Gers with eight goals but struggled. One effort easily saved. Lucky to remain on for second half. Point blank shot saved. His deflection past Schmeichel. Subbed…5
SUBS: Liam Scales (6) flashed header wide, booked and lucky not to concede penalty; Tony Ralston (5) replaced Johnston, wanting at Danilo header; Arne Engels (6) superb assist for Kuhn. Shoot-out penalty; Adam Idah (6) took over Furuhashi, shoot-out penalty; Alex Valle (5) and James Forrest (3) on in extra time to move level with Bobby Lennox on 25 trophies as most decorated Celt.
RANGERS
JACK BUTLAND: Crucial early save at feet of Kuhn then from Hatate’s rebound. Another big save from Hatate at 1-1 and helpless at the Celtic goals. Slotted shoot-out penalty. 7
JAMES TAVERNIER: Gers fans were fearful of their skipper against Maeda’s pace but he mostly coped well against the Japanese. Sent extra-time free-kick over then blazed great opening across goal. Booked. 7
LEON BALOGUN: Third final in a year for veteran and he made a key early tackle on Maeda then saw header saved by Schmeichel. Early booking contributed to him being subbed. 6
ROBIN PROPPER: Looked like being a long day when he was skinned for pace by Kuhn in opening 15 minutes but recovered to be solid. Nothing flashy but dealt with Celtic strikers capably. 7
JEFTE: Little impact. A first-half booking was practically his only contribution and he was hooked immediately after Maeda’s goal. It all looked a bit much for him. 5
NICO RASKIN: Has had better days but stuck at it. Deflected Taylor’s drive past Butland then his slack pass played Balogun into bother and let Maeda through to score. Booked. 6
MO DIOMANDE: Ivorian was disciplined and important to his side while Rangers were on top. After the break forced Schmeichel into a big save then forced ball in for equaliser. 7
VACLAV CERNY: Saw a drive charged down in first-half stoppage time then forced a save from Schmeichel as his side chased. Pinpoint cross for Danilo equaliser. 6
NEDIM BAJRAMI: Albanian pounced on Taylor’s poor pass to score Rangers’ first goal against Celtic in nearly four hours. Stayed close to McGregor in key shadowing role for his side. 6
IANIS HAGI: Forced an early save from Schmeichel in what was the Romanian’s first Rangers Final. But he found it hard to make an impression and passing was slack. Booked. 5
HAMZA IGAMANE: Recovered from early clash with Carter-Vickers but never quite imposed himself and didn’t look like continuing scoring run. Sent a second-half effort wildly off target. Booked. 5
Subs : Ridvan Yilmaz (Jefte 60,4) sold himself badly at Celtic’s third then saw shoot-out penalty saved; Dujon Stirling (Balogun 66,5) pace helped him handle situations, booked; Danilo (Bajrami 85,6) got ahead of Ralston to score bullet header 21 seconds after re-start; Cyriel Dessers (Igamane 100,4) instant booking; Connor Barron (Diomande 105,3) little impact; Kieran Dowell (Cerny 105,3) no impression.
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