Two Croatian football fans were stabbed during violence before Rangers played Osijek in Glasgow.Up to 60 people were involved in the trouble in Govan, near Ibrox Stadium, before the Europa League game.
.Police Scotland said the “large-scale disturbance” in the Govan area of Glasgow resulted in the two men, aged 24 and 40, being wounded.
They were taken from the scene, a short distance from the club’s Ibrox Stadium, to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.The patients have been described as stable.
Officers were called to Edmiston Drive, at its junction with Paisley Road West, just after 19:00 on Thursday.Flares were let off during the clashes and eyewitnesses said bottles and rocks were also launched.
One video posted online shows a man being kicked and punched by two men as he lay on the ground.
Officers are trawling private and public space CCTV in a bid to map the movements of the suspects, many of whom wore dark hooded tops to conceal their identities.The force appealed for witnesses or anyone with mobile phone or dash cam footage of the clashes to contact them.
Chief Inspector Alan Bowater said: “Supporters of both sides should be able to attend a football match without getting caught up in violence and disorder. Also, innocent members of the public should not have to be faced with the threat of encountering it.”I would like to reassure members of the public that we take their safety extremely seriously and sufficient resources will be deployed at future games to tackle anti-social behaviour and violence.”,he said.
The individuals involved must be tracked down and held to account and Police Scotland will use every resource at its disposal to put a stop to this reckless behaviour.
Rangers progressed to the next round after the match ended 1-1 to give Steven Gerrard’s side a 2-1 win on aggregate.
Witness Marianne Chirray wrote on Twitter: “Ibrox is chaotic right now!!! Flares being thrown, people getting kicked in the head – nightmare!”
Detective Inspector Steven Wallace said: “This type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated and it is absolutely vital anyone with information that could assist with our investigation comes forward.”I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed a disturbance, particularly anyone with mobile phone or dash-cam footage, to get in touch.’
Last weekend a mass brawl broke out near Glasgow Central Station after a pre-season friendly between Rangers and Wigan.