Andy Walker slams Rangers fans amid ‘outrageous and ridiculous’ scenes in defeat v Celtic
By Sam Collins
Play was delayed at the start of the second half in the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic after Joe Hart noticed glass on the pitch as he went out for the second half.
A game synonymous with trouble, the Old Firm has seen its fair share of incidents and shocking moments with fans involved both in and outside of the stadium.
That trouble found its way onto the pitch in the latest encounter in the form of broken glass bottles in and around Hart’s six-yard box.
Speaking on Sky Sports amid the incident on Sunday [3 April, 01:02pm], Andy Walker said: “It is utterly ridiculous that things like this happen, absolutely outrageous.” Also stating: “Every player should face safe within their place of work.
“It is absolutely outrageous to see broken bottles on a field of play that can affect referees’ players and anyone it’s aimed at is absolutely outrageous.”
Protecting an Image
Walker and his fellow members of the commentary team on Sky are right to be annoyed and ashamed of the actions of the fans who through the objects onto the pitch.
The Old Firm has always been one of the most exciting and captivating fixtures in European football with the two biggest sides in Scotland battling it out.
However, it attracts fans from outside of Scotland too with a large majority of English football fans joining in on the occasion, picking a side and watching it on TV.
It’s the same around the United Kingdom as everyone picks blue or green and enjoys a thrilling occasion
This is where Walker’s frustrations come from. Scotland has been in a constant battle in the footballing world to protect and improve the image of Scottish football, both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, its competitive nature has been questioned for its lack of challenge for the two big sides but off it Is where its image is on a knife edge.
Deemed one of the most dangerous rivalries in the UK the fixture could be hampering the league’s reputation with outside viewers looking at some of the negatives of the fixture as reasons to stop watching.
Of course, the added stipulation of religion and loyalty means there will always be clashes between rival fans but Walker believes it should be kept away from the pitch and the game in play.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton also reacted to the ugly scenes in the Old Firm.