Yesterday afternoon, Rangers and Celtic played out a dismal 0-0 draw (‘eye-bleeding’, was journalist Tom English’s verdict) in the Scottish Cup quarter-final before the game was settled/put out of its misery on penalties. The game itself will soon be forgotten, what won’t be is the trouble that followed. Celtic’s ‘triumph’ provoked a pitch invasion by sinister, black-clad, masked, ninja-like supporters, first Celtic fans, then, in response it appears, Rangers. A flare was launched into the Broomloan stand, and there are reports of a Celtic official being attacked. The pitch was soon cleared, and thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a horrible look at the end of a horrible game.

There could be serious repercussions. This was the first time in years that Ibrox had admitted a significant complement of away (Celtic) fans, and some 7,500 were present. That level of dispensation will almost certainly end. Fifa and Uefa will doubtless have noticed too, so it could impact the use of Scottish stadia for international tournaments. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the Scottish government jumped in either (they have form on this), and we know how helpful they can be.

Scotland desperately needs the........

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