Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A senior police officer has claimed football chiefs snubbed his plea to switch the controversial Hogmanay Old Firm clash.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins says Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) bosses rejected his bid to have the match played on December 28.

He says the idea was knocked back because planners had already pencilled in other fixtures.

ACC Higgins, Police Scotland’s strategic lead on football, said: “We asked the SPFL if we could have it on December 28 and that wasn’t possible because there’s a full fixture list.”

Pub and restaurant bosses and business owners have reacted furiously to the Old Firm clash taking place on Hogmanay, claiming potential trouble from drunk fans would spoil celebrations.

Fans have also expressed frustration at the game – being shown live on Sky Sports – being played on one of the most significant days of the year.

ACC Higgins said: “We looked at January 2 and again, for other reasons, that wasn’t possible either.

“It’s still an SPFL decision but we’ve agreed to police it.

“It’s well within the capabilities of Police Scotland to meet demands of that day and the wider Hogmanay celebrations.

(Image: SNS)

“We didn’t decide that date and between its original announcement last summer and when it was formally ratified, we had a number of discussions with the SPFL. We considered a number of alternative dates and, for a variety of reasons, they weren’t suitable so we reverted to December 31. Then we agreed and asked the SPFL to bring the kick-off forward.”

Celtic are to play Ross County at Parkhead on December 28, while Rangers are due to play St Johnstone on the same evening in Perth.

A three-week SPFL winter shutdown will start on January 2.

Higgins added: “We’re caught in the middle here. The reality is that it is the SPFL’s event. There seems to be some misunderstanding in the public domain that the decision to hold the game on December 31 has been taken by Police Scotland. It hasn’t.

“What we’ve simply done is to agree to police it. Ultimately it’s the SPFL who own the event and they’ve determined it’ll be December 31. It’s not within my gift to move a football game. All I can do is make representations on why we think any game should be played at any particular point.”

Higgins met with campaign group Bells not Brawls at Glasgow’s Helen Street police office on December 1.

The organisation, a coalition of pub owners, hoteliers and business leaders, including the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, wanted Justice Secretary Michael Matheson to veto the fixture.

They claim customers have cancelled reservations since the Old Firm date was confirmed and public safety in the city centre has been put at risk.

More than 50,000 fans will attend the match, which will kick-off at 12.15pm. Train services will stop by 10pm. Glasgow’s subway line will shut at 10.30pm. Campaigners have been told by Police Scotland and SPFL chiefs they will be consulted over future Old Firm planning, including the next New Year game.

Higgins added: “I had a very positive discussion with them and I agreed to highlight their concerns with the SPFL.

“I did that last week at the Police Scotland multi-agency football working group.

“This was attended by two SPFL officials who agreed they’d look at how they publicise fixtures next year and ensure everybody is aware in advance of difficult games.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Higgins believes that the conduct of fans at Rangers v Celtic clashes is getting better.

He added: “The current Old Firm games are unrecognisable in terms of behaviour and drunkenness compared to 20 years ago. However, in both games this season we experienced unacceptable behaviour in terms of sectarian chanting and in terms of abuse hurled at each other.

“Before and after the game we had low levels of disorder and skirmishes but nothing we have seen in years gone by.

“There has been a general improvement, but it’s still a long way short of what we’d like.

“This a great opportunity for both sets of fans on Hogmanay to demonstrate that they can behave in a responsible and reasonable manner.

“I think it’s a chance to say we’re a modern society, we can go out and watch a game of football, because at the end of the day that is all it is, and go home and enjoy Hogmanay in the traditional sense.”

Police made just one arrest in the stadium during September’s clash between the two sides at Celtic Park. Further arrests were made following controversy over banners and effigies displayed by the Celtic fans and damage done to the stadium’s toilets by Rangers supporters.

The Scottish League Cup semi-final between the sides at Hampden Park resulted in 18 people being arrested for minor offences.

Higgins added: “My plea to the fans is take the opportunity to demonstrate that you can enjoy the Old Firm game for what it is. Don’t embarrass your club and, more importantly, keep Scotland safe on one of our iconic days.

“There will be an increased number of officers on duty on the day who will be more than capable of meeting the demands of an Old Firm game. More officers will be on duty on Hogmanay than at any other time.”

SPFL bosses denied Higgins had ever requested December 28 as a possible date for the match.

They claim broadcaster Sky asked for the game to be played on January 1 which was rejected by police.

A Sky spokesman claimed it was Police Scotland who wanted the match played on Hogmanay.

He said: “The broadcaster originally asked for the match to be moved to Sunday lunchtime for live broadcast.

“This was taken to Police Scotland who advised that the sought scheduling was not acceptable and requested that the fixture be scheduled for Saturday lunchtime. We took the Police Scotland request to Sky Sports who agreed.”

In September, the Sunday Mail revealed how the Hogmanay fixture had been generated by computer software used by a firm in Florida.

Donald MacLeod, Bells not Brawls spokesman and convenor of the Glasgow Licensing Forum, said: “We’ve been confused as to why no other dates for this fixture were requested.

“From our meetings with Bernard Higgins, we’ve discovered that is not the case.

“We’ve been heartened to hear opinions from the wider community will be considered in the future. But it’s disappointing that public safety this Hogmanay has been ignored.”

Sky TV refused to comment.