SNS GroupA man involved in a pre-Old Firm disturbance between Rangers and Celtic fans faces a football ban.
Derek Strachan, 26, threw a traffic cone at Celtic fans in the morning of February 26, 2023.
Rangers fan group the Union Bears had attended Hampden Park to set up a tifo display before the League Cup final later that day.
A clash then occurred after Celtic fans believed to be the Green Brigade attended at the Rangers end of the stadium.
The incident circulated on social media after it was recorded by a number of onlookers as well as those involved.
Strachan, of Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was noted to have taken part in the disturbance when CCTV was reviewed.
The first offender pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
The court heard that 100 members of the Union Bears were allowed to set up a pre-match display in the morning of the Old Firm final.
It was stated that 100 members of a separate group wearing green and khaki clothing appeared a short time later.
The prosecutor said: “This group charged towards the west side of the stadium.
“Police heard a shout ‘That’s the Green Brigade, that’s Celtic’.
“Officers saw both groups run at each other and clash at the south west section of the stadium.
“Strachan was captured on CCTV engaging in the large scale disorder and he was in possession of a traffic cone.”
Officers attempted to place themselves in the middle to separate the groups and kept them apart.
A CCTV trawl was used and Strachan was identified as being involved.
He later attended a police station when he handed himself in to be arrested.
Michael O’Neill, defending, told the court: “He has never been involved in trouble before.
“He has been going to football matches for 12 years and travelled abroad ten times to see his team with no issues with his behaviour or conduct.”
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Tom Hughes.
He stated: “As said many times before, behaviour of fans getting involved in situations like this is outrageous and unacceptable.
“People nearby were so concerned that hey had to make calls to the police to help as soon as possible.
“The police have to get actively involved to keep the groups apart.
“This will be taken very seriously by the court and I will consider a football banning order.”
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