A CITY CENTRE community group has hit out at Rangers fans who caused more than £100 worth of damage to their area noticeboard.

Mindless vandals targeted the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council sign, scrawling “union bears” over its surface while they celebrated the club’s title win victory.

Chairman Duncan MacLaren, said: “Unfortunately our community signboard was vandalised by fans. The words “union bears” were written all over it.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Glasgow residents slam Rangers fans for George Square gathering

“We use this as a means of advertisement to show residents who might not have access to online facilities when our council meetings will be heard. 

“It costs around £120 for a new one and we only replaced it last year, so it’s another blow for us.”

Glasgow Times:

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As a result of the rowdy celebrations, broken glass, empty tins and litter were scattered across the city centre with council teams drafted in to clear up the chaos from the night before.

This included removals of damaged memorial benches on George Square, which Glasgow City Council described as a “deplorable” act. 

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Speaking of the destruction left behind, Kathinka Mumme, who also lives in Blythswood, said: “We’re in the middle of a pandemic and for fans to gather is just selfish. 

“Walking home on Sunday felt like a minefield, with broken glass everywhere and drunk Rangers fans. Seeing pictures of what George Square looked like was just heartbreaking.”

Glasgow Times:

Meanwhile, other outraged residents blasted the chants that were coming from the hordes of fans. 

Gary Taylor, of Argyle Street, said: “During the current pandemic the streets have been pretty deserted in the city centre. But on Sunday night it felt like normal times again with thousands of Rangers fans kicking about. 

“I never saw any trouble on Argyle Street, but there was a lot of supporters drinking and singing sectarian songs. It wasn’t the nicest atmosphere for a Sunday evening.  

“I can understand why fans wanted to celebrate the occasion, but it was a real blow for us who have stuck to rules during these strange times.  

“The scenes in George Square were hard to take in – I just hope there is not a spike in coronavirus cases in Glasgow as a result.”

Glasgow Times:

Henry McDonald, who lives close to the City Chambers, added: “The stream of fans I saw heading into the square was constant. It actually started just with horn beeping, and I would have been happy to bear that for a day. The noise was annoying but Rangers fans have earned some celebration.

“That didn’t last long. Chants about the UVF and the Pope started not long after, I’m sure you can guess the rest of the contents of those despicable songs. 

“That never really ceased until late into the evening, though the sectarian chants were definitely sparse and whenever a group of people started singing them, other groups of fans didn’t join in.

“There was absolutely no even cursory attempts at social distancing. People who clearly knew each other but didn’t arrive together were crossing the road to hug. I feel for the fans who stayed at home and have had this title win soured.”

Glasgow Times:

Terrorised residents also revealed they felt “too scared” to leave their homes on 
Sunday – describing George Square as a “minefield”. 

Mr MacLaren said: “I’ve had various residents come to tell me they were too scared to leave their homes on Sunday because of the gatherings. As a result of that, they stayed indoors the whole day.

“I didn’t leave my home either, but I watched the night unfold from my window and could see plumes of smoke rocketing into the sky and I could hear a lot of shouting and fireworks, too. 

“When we have residents – some of them frontline workers – going to work on the Monday, it isn’t ideal. I was appalled to see images of how George Square was left behind the following morning, there is just no excuse for that behaviour.”

Glasgow Times:

Lucy Baker added: “The title party in George Square made me feel unsafe in my own neighbourhood. I know the city centre like the back of my hand and I am usually never hesitant to go for a run because I know the areas to stick to. 

“Yet, on Sunday, the city centre felt like it was at siege and the places I usually feel safest were taken away. The fact that it all took place in the middle of a pandemic just highlights how selfish the people there were.”

A total of 28 arrests were made and seven slapped with fines over the course of the day while officers were subjected to a number of physical attacks. 

The events have since been condemned by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Police Scotland’s Chief Constable, Iain Livingstone, various local representatives and Glasgow City Council.