21 Feb 2012

Police concern ahead of Old Firm derby

5:29 pm on 21 February 2012

Strathclyde Police plan to hold talks with the Scottish Premier Football League over a potential Old Firm title decider at Ibrox.

Following Rangers move into administration Celtic now lead their second placed rivals by 17 points.

Should Celtic remain unbeaten and their Old Firm rivals drop two points, then Celtic could win the title on March 25th.

Police say they would rather the scenario was avoided but admit pre-sales of tickets and hospitality packages would make a switch difficult.

But they also say they have experience in policing events and will treat this one in the same way.

Rangers clinched the title in 1999 after an ill-tempered 3-0 Old Firm derby win at Celtic Park.

That derby led to a call from the Scottish Police Federation for the fixture to be banned completely following violence after the game.