Celtic captain Scott Brown's solidarity with Rangers' Glen Kamara over alleged racial abuse shows how football can be a force for good – Angus Robertson

As a Hearts fan, I find it hard to get worked up about the Glasgow Old Firm, but Celtic captain Scott Brown was a class act this weekend both on and off the field.
Celtic's Scott Brown, left, embraces Rangers' Glen Kamara before the game between Celtic and Rangers on Sunday (Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group)Celtic's Scott Brown, left, embraces Rangers' Glen Kamara before the game between Celtic and Rangers on Sunday (Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group)
Celtic's Scott Brown, left, embraces Rangers' Glen Kamara before the game between Celtic and Rangers on Sunday (Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group)

Before kick-off at Celtic, he went out of his way to march purposefully over to the Rangers players to embrace Glen Kamara.

It was the most public of statements of solidarity with the black Finnish midfielder who was allegedly racially abused during a European fixture against Slavia Prague last week.

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After the one-all draw, Brown said: "Definitely, I think it is disgusting what has happened to be perfectly honest. It doesn't matter whether it is a Rangers player or a Celtic player, or whoever it is throughout. It should never be part of the game, it just shows that we stand with them and is that little bit of respect as a fellow professional.”

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Both Scott Brown and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard have shown themselves to be inspiring leaders in dealing with the racial abuse that Kamara allegedly faced. There is no place for racism in football or anywhere else.

Young boys and girls, Celtic and Rangers followers and all genuine football fans everywhere will have seen the solidarity offered by Scott Brown and Steven Gerrard. They have set an example for others to emulate.

Meanwhile Celtic and Rangers fans who stuck to the lockdown restrictions have been praised after fears of public gatherings were raised following earlier incidents.

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All of this shows the welcome power of clubs, players and managers to influence positive behaviour.

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