'No powers' can stop football fans gathering for title parties, Glasgow City Council admits

Glasgow City Council admits there are “no powers” to stop football fans gathering in the city centre for title celebrations.

The council says it has met with senior representatives of Celtic, Rangers and Police Scotland to work on plans to facilitate celebrations while minimising disruption to communities.

In recent years, fans have gathered in the Trongate and George Square areas of the city to celebrate title victories.

Police have made several arrests while responding to disorder in the city on the final day of the season.

Last month, officers confirmed talks have taken place with clubs on how celebrations could look.

As it stands, both Rangers and Celtic can mathematically win the Scottish Premiership, with the title race potentially going to the last day.

The Hoops play current league leaders Hearts at Parkhead on May 16, while Rangers are away to Falkirk on the same day.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “In recent months, senior representatives of Celtic FC, Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and Rangers FC have begun a series of meetings aimed at resetting the relationship between the city and its two biggest football clubs.

“We agree that there could be mutual benefits to the city providing support to the clubs to recognise their successes and in all parties working to use the clubs’ significant international brands as part of the city’s destination marketing strategy as other global cities have been able to do.

“We are working towards proposals for how this could work in practice.

“The discussions have also reflected on celebrations which have had a disproportionate impact on city centre businesses and residents.

“It is clear there are no powers which could compel fans to not gather in the city centre and we have agreed to work together on facilitating celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.”