Soccer

Rangers pitch invader among eight arrested after Old Firm derby

Kenny Miller says his team were ‘ashamed’ and ‘embarrassed’ by 5-1 record defeat

A Rangers fan invades the pitch as Celtic’s Scott Brown looks on. Photograph: Reuters
A Rangers fan invades the pitch as Celtic’s Scott Brown looks on. Photograph: Reuters
Sat Apr 29 2017 - 17:16

Eight people have been arrested following the Old Firm clash on Saturday.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly running on to the pitch to confront Celtic captain Scott Brown at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.

Two men aged 36 and 16 were arrested in connection with allegedly trying to enter the ground while drunk while a 30-year-old man was held in connection with alleged offensive behaviour.

Three men aged 34 and 53 and a 15-year-old boy were arrested in connection with alleged breach of the peace while a 16-year-old was arrested for allegedly being in possession of alcohol at the ground.

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Police are also investigating an alleged incident of racial abuse where someone allegedly made a monkey gesture at Celtic player Scott Sinclair.

A police spokesman said: “We are aware of that incident and inquiries are ongoing.”

Celtic won the game against Rangers 5-1.

A Rangers spokesman said: “Rangers does not condone any form of unacceptable behaviour and the matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland.”

Asked about the incident of a man allegedly running on to the pitch, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: "I haven't seen it again, there was so much more happening in the game.

“It’s not nice when something like that happens but I only caught the tail end of it, really.”

Rangers captain Kenny Miller admitted that his team were "ashamed" and "embarrassed" after their record home defeat to their rivals.

The 37-year-old Ibrox captain, who signed a new one-year deal on Friday which takes him to 2018, scored the Gers’ goal against the champions but it was no more than a consolation.

In a Rangers TV interview, Miller was asked how the players were reflecting on the defeat.

He said: “I think it goes without saying it is disappointing. Ashamed. Embarrassed, by the scoreline and performance.

“I don’t know what else you can say about a game like that. Second best all over the park.

“The lads put effort in, they tried their best but the quality was not where it should be and that emphasised the gulf and it is something we need to address very, very quickly.”