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John Swinney hits out at Rangers fans over ‘rebel scum’ banner unfurled against Celtic
@Source: thescottishsun.co.uk
THE final Old Firm of the season was a dead rubber as far as the league goes, but was still packed with incident.
One of the more controversial moments featured Rangers supporter group the Union Bears unfurling an inflammatory banner towards Celtic fans.
The display featured a famous photo of Graeme Souness holding up a shotgun, with the words 'take aim against the rebel scum' written underneath.
The club later released a statement condemning the banner, as well as the fan who launched a glass bottle onto the field of play.
The statement said: "Rangers Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who threw a bottle during today’s match.
"This behaviour has no place at our stadium.
"Steps have already been taken to identify the person responsible, and the club will take the strongest possible action once their identity is confirmed.
"We also acknowledge that the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable."
The banner was seized by police as potential evidence while they investigate.
And now Scottish First Minister John Swinney has weighed in, blasting the banner and promising the Government would 'reflect' on what happened at Ibrox.
Swinney said: "[Commitment to tackling this] has to be followed by the clubs involved.
"If there are issues that require the involvement of the police then the police have to be involved in these issues.
"Obviously there was a banner displayed which was unacceptable at the weekend.
"These issues have to be addressed by the clubs themselves but also by the police if they judge it appropriate to do so.
"And that judgement fundamentally rests with the police in that respect."
Swinney didn't feel that the use of the picture of Souness holding a gun was the main issue with the controversy though.
He continued: "I don’t think that was an appropriate image.
"But it’s for the club to reflect on that issue, to address any issues and for the police to make their judgment about that matter as well."
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