Police and hospitals all set as Old Firm renew rivalry

Emergency 999 workers and hospital staff have had all leave cancelled ahead of today’s explosive Old Firm cup clash at Hampden.

Doctors, nurses and police constables have all been ordered to remain only a phone call away as Glasgow grips itself for booze-fuelled mayhem.

Police Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have both taken extreme steps to ensure staff levels are at a maximum to combat 14 hours of potential chaos.

And that’s included cancelling days-off to beef-up an army of A&E workers.

One NHS insider said: “The game has been nicknamed Armageddon and that’s what we’re expecting. Key staff like myself have been told they’ll be required on call for the duration of Sunday.

“It’s going to be extremely busy, we expect.”

As well as the NHS call to arms, the national police force are taking a zero tolerance approach to the game.

Hundreds of officers will take to the streets from first thing this morning to clamp down on booze bandits flouting strict licencing laws. The constables will be on patrol across the west of Scotland as they bid to call time on any early morning lock-ins organised by supporters’ clubs.

One source said: “There’s no question that a number of locals will open up to their regulars from the break of dawn, even when they know it’s against the law. It’s the day both sets of fans have waited three years for and they want to soak up every second of it. That includes getting the pints in from before sunrise right up until kick-off.

“The doors may be closed but there’ll be punters inside you can only imagine the state some of them will be in come 1.30pm.”

The decision was made to play all Old Firm fixtures early in the day after a league clash at Celtic Park in 1999 descended into a riot. Referee Hugh Dallas was left with blood pouring from his head after being struck by a coin thrown from the crowd, with four yobs lifted when they tried to invade the pitch.

Police chiefs blamed the 6.05pm Sunday evening kick-off for the chaotic scenes, arguing that it allowed fans a full day of drinking before turning up at the ground.

Police Scotland insisted officers will be taking a no-nonsense approach ahead of the first meeting between the bitter city rivals for three years.

Chief Superintendent Andy Bates said: “As part of an ongoing licencing initiative officers will be out checking that premises are complying with regulations. That will be taking place from very early in the morning.”

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said staffing levels will be appropriate.

He said: “Glasgow accident and emergency units are always busy at the weekends. This Sunday we’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”

The Sunday Post last week revealed that both groups of players had been warned that they could face arrest if they get out of line during this afternoon’s League Cup semi-final tie.

With this the first meeting between the clubs since Rangers were liquidated in 2012, top brass fear the fixture’s typical powderkeg atmosphere could ignite if both sides lose their cool.

Fans have also been warned that there will be a zero tolerance approach to sectarian singing with rookie cops having been trained in what to listen out for.

The game is set to be broadcast to 54 countries across the globe, with up to 129 million homes tuning in from as far afield as the USA, Qatar and Hong Kong.

Neil Doncaster, the SPFL chief executive, said: “Many of these countries and regions show highlights of Scottish football throughout the season and this is another chance for us to continue to sell the game and increase interest throughout the world.”