Glasgow should be 'really proud' of Celtic and Rangers' contribution to city, says council leader

Council leader Ricky Bell believes Glasgow should be “really proud” of Celtic and Rangers and their “enormous contribution” to the local economy, as a campaign to promote “one of the world’s greatest sporting cities” is planned.

Both clubs attract thousands of visitors to Glasgow, supporting jobs and generating “significant economic activity”, Councillor Bell said at the State of the City Economy conference on Friday.

“I want Glasgow to be far more confident in celebrating our success and that includes two of the biggest brands our city has ever produced: Celtic and Rangers,” he told attendees at the Old Fruitmarket.

“But for too long, the council’s relationship with them has been defined by challenges rather than opportunities.”

He admitted Glasgow City Council must “continue to work closely with both clubs to ensure their celebrations are safe, and to address any supporter behaviour that impacts on local communities”.

“But I don’t want that to be the sum total of our relationship,” he said. “I want a partnership that recognises and builds on the enormous contribution that both those clubs make to our city economy.”

Destination Glasgow, a recently-launched city marketing organisation, will develop a campaign to showcase the city’s sporting offer.

Cllr Bell, SNP, explained: “This won’t just be about football, important as that is, it will celebrate the full breadth of our sporting offer, from major events to the community clubs and grassroots organisations that are the foundation of sport across our city.

Other major European cities showcase their football teams, he added. “We all know that our football teams have interesting histories and that it can be a clear division in the city. But I think we need to be really proud of both teams and what they bring to the city.”

The council leader represents the Govan ward and said he regularly witnesses “the amount of businesses” that Rangers support on a matchday.