Chilling Rangers-Celtic report - the clear and punitive measures needed for change

Lead author Mark Blackbourne was clearly left in no doubt that the pitch invasion that occurred after Celtic’s penalty shoot-out victory in the Old Firm derby could have led to far graver consequences. He labelled two matters a “near miss” and claimed the ugly scenes "came within a very small margin of becoming a violent mass confrontation".

The suggestion that “a crushing incident was a real and foreseeable risk" when Ultras groups stormed past police and stewards at one of the stadium gates should also serve as a major warning to Scottish football. Fan behaviour needs to be taken far more seriously in this country.

Reports of “petrified” police and stewards who may wish not to work the fixture again, and that a ten-year-old boy that was struck by a missile wasn’t given proper medical attention, are also unacceptable. The way ticketing allocation was handled, and the “inadequate” planning of a fixture of such magnitude, also raises concerns.

Both Rangers and Celtic issued statements not long after. The Ibrox club’s was lengthier. Inevitably, while there was some acceptance of responsibility, each side took umbrage at various parts of the report.

The clubs have been charged by the compliance officer and face hearings on August 13, accused of breaching the SFA’s rule 37, which centres on “good order and security” and “unacceptable conduct”. The outcome of that will be interesting.

While the near 8000-strong Old Firm away allocation was a very rare occurrence, decreed primarily by a Scottish Cup rule offering up a 20 per cent allocation, that should not allow the relevant authorities to rest on their laurels here. The next Old Firm match is on September 20, where around 2500 visiting Rangers fans will be expected at Parkhead. Such scenes simply cannot be tolerated again.

The culture of Ultras is becoming increasingly prevalent, as the report pointed out. There was a pitch invasion on the final day of the season at Parkhead, when Celtic fans celebrated winning the league against Hearts. The safety of supporters, players and staff has to be uppermost in Scottish football’s mind.

One of the biggest takeaways in Mr Blackbourne’s review was Scottish football’s current sanctions “hold individuals accountable but largely insulates clubs from the consequences of their supporters' behaviour". In short, there should be stricter liability for football clubs - the review called the Scottish Football Association "too modest and too inconsistent" with their disciplinary powers.

Just last month, partial stand closures and fines were handed out to Celtic and Motherwell for incidents in the Premiership - but the punishments were meagre and suspended. Have the governing bodies simply been too soft on our football clubs when it comes to fan disorder? On the continent, it is not uncommon for games to be played behind closed doors on the back of pitch incursions or the use of pyrotechnics. Point deductions are not unheard of either, particularly in France where supporter behaviour has deteriorated. There is a zero tolerance approach.

The SFA have vowed to “work together with the SPFL, clubs, Police Scotland and Scottish government to ensure no repeat of the events that tarnished the image and reputation of the game". Perhaps the only way it can be eradicated properly is for clear and punitive measures that will make the perpetrators and those accountable sit up and take notice.