Ally McCoist declares why fans want Hearts to win the title after 'pathetic' Old Firm chaos proves one thing
Wild scenes unfolded at the end of the clash between Rangers and Celtic on Sunday.
Ally McCoist reckons Sunday’s chaotic end to Rangers and Celtic shows why fans would like to see a Hearts title win this season.
The Rangers icon was at Ibrox as fans clashed on the pitch, following the visiting side’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory, following a 0-0 draw in their Scottish Cup quarter final clash. Hearts had a free weekend having already exited the tournament, but watched on as both sides toiled over 120 minutes, before fans collided in scenes that have been widely condemned.
It was a return to away supporters in full capacity in the Broomloan Stand and McCoist feels both sets of punters let their clubs down. With Hearts five clear at the top of the Premiership in their bid to be the first team outside Glasgow since 1985 to win the title, McCoist reckons Sunday’s carnage shows why onlookers are keen for Jambos joy.
Old Firm pitch invasion reaction
He told talkSPORT: "I went to the game, I didn't see anything before or during the game. I saw the mob coming in from the Broomloan Stand, I'm sitting saying to myself, 'just please stay off the pitch man, just stay off the pitch'. “They are running about. You hope it doesn't happen, but you know it's going to happen, you just know it's going to happen. They come on from the other end, it is an absolute embarrassment.
“It was cringe. I was going to say, that new Marvel movie looks hopeless, doesn't it? It was diabolical. We met one of the young lads who was up the west enclosure of the stand. He told me, we were in for a pint after it, there was a young girl there, and he said she got hit with a bottle.
“An 18, 19-year-old girl got hit with a bottle. What chance have we got? I've been sent, and by the way they are as bad as each other before we get any further, the mess of the Broomloan Stand. They are writing phrases about the Ibrox disaster, 66 dead and all that, what is it with these people?
Why Ally McCoist senses fans want Hearts title win
"It's just pure bitterness and sickness of the mind. The game itself was poor, but the atmosphere was actually good. We want the fans into the game, but I will tell you right now, they have put that to bed. That will not happen. It's just turned. The vast majority of people want Hearts to win that league, and with some justification. It was pathetic yesterday. Shocking."
Police Scotland’s Chief Supt Kate Stephen said: “A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.
“Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm. Officers and members of the public have been injury in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.”