Ugly side of Old Firm rivalry must be kept in check

Two separate stories in the past few days highlighted the sharply contrasting faces of Scottish football.

The trouble involving Old Firm fans at the Glasgow Cup Final on Monday night was as depressing as it was predictable.

Vincent Lunny is set to investigate events that wrecked the Under-17 competition’s showpiece. We await the definitive verdict from the SFA Compliance Officer.

What is certain, though, is that early reports of sectarian chanting, fireworks being set off and some £10,000 worth of damage to Celtic Park’s fixtures made for grim reading.

And this at a game that should have been a real celebration of young Scottish football talent.

Many of the players on show from both clubs will head off together to Malta this week to take part in the Finals of the European Under-17 Championships.

It is the first time we have qualified in six years, and an achievement to be proud of, especially as Spain, France and Italy have all failed to get through.

I don’t suppose that anyone is in any doubt this match was used as an outlet for the bad feeling that has simmered between fans of Rangers and Celtic.

Billy Kirkwood, coach of the young Rangers team, summed things up nicely when he said: “At some point, the senior teams of these clubs are going to meet again. Oh dear.”

I am someone who believes the Scottish game needs the Old Firm fixture for the drama and sense of theatre it brings to domestic and international audiences alike.

At the same time, the ugly side of the rivalry must be kept in check. It does no favours to anyone.

Happily, the week also brought us the heart-warming tale of opposition fans helping one another out.

The appeal to raise funds for cash-strapped Dundee United fans to attend the Scottish Cup Final raised over £14,000 in the space of a day.

Donations have been received not just from supporters of the Tannadice club, but also from followers of St Johnstone, who they will meet in the Final, Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Celtic and Dundee.

Messages left on the page of the United For All charity show some dedicating their contributions to the memory of loved ones.

What we have is people, many of whom I am sure have experienced a great day out at the Cup Final themselves, chipping in to help others less fortunate than themselves enjoy this opportunity.

It is a great gesture, and one of the most positive stories of the season.