ONE of the country's top cops says any fan involved in violent scenes in Glasgow on Saturday should be banned from football.
Assistant chief constable Gary Ritchie believes supporters who clashed with police and one another during celebrations to mark Rangers' first major title in a decade have "besmirched the great name of the club".
Thousands of fans descended on the city despite warnings from the Ibrox team, officers, and the Scottish Government to stay away.
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"Rangers Football Club were very supportive and they put out advisories," ACC Ritchie said. "We have arrested 28 people and expect to make many more.
"I don't think those supporters are the type that Rangers will want associated with them."
When asked if they should be banned, he said: "Absolutely. They have besmirched the great name of the club and they shouldn't be anywhere near the football club after this."
As well as clashing with police, a section of the supporters shouted vile anti-Catholic slogans and damaged property in the city. It forced a number of businesses to shut up shop early and send staff home over fears for their safety.
Some have criticised the police's approach on the day but ACC Ritchie insisted officers took the correct approach, while he gave an update on injuries sustained by cops.
"Every single one of those 15,000 that chose to gather took a selfish decision against the rules," he told Radio Scotland. "All we can do is police the situation that we see in front of us. We managed that crowd and initially it was peaceful. As was Kenmure Street and the protest yesterday.
"When it descended into violence in disorder, that's when we had to up the ante. There's a huge balance you need to take when dealing with crowds of this size.
"At what stage would there have been dispersal that wouldn't have caused massive disruption to the people of Glasgow and the city?"
He added: "Our officers have received medical attention and they are fine. It is shocking that they have gone to their work and come back home injured. One of them quite seriously injured.
"Police officers are not there to be assaulted. They deserve, like everyone else, to not be injured and not be assaulted. They are shocked and shaken but they will dust themselves down and go again if required."
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