The senior policeman who will oversee tomorrow's Old Firm match at Celtic Park (deferred showing on Setanta Sport) has disputed Uefa's claim that sectarian chanting is tolerated in Scottish society, while insisting that the decision the European governing body handed down on the recent Rangers case will have no bearing on the way Strathclyde Police handle the encounter.
Chief superintendent Kenny Scott, who has acted as match commander for more than 20 Old Firm meetings in the past eight years, will be in that role for tomorrow's game amid a public debate in Scotland over who has the responsibility to eliminate sectarianism at football grounds.
In exonerating Rangers 10 days ago on the charge of sectarian chanting by their supporters in recent Champions League matches against Villarreal, Uefa claimed that bigotry was a Scottish "social and historical problem" and singing of The Billy Boys - a song that glories in the violent death of Catholics - is now "somehow tolerated".
However, Scott said: "I would strongly argue, particularly with reference to the last two years, that Uefa's statement has no validity. Sectarian behaviour is dealt with firmly in Scotland, and that includes at football matches."
Alex McLeish will be in charge of Rangers for the 25th and final time in an Old Firm match, and is aware that the home support will be in a party mood with the title secured. However, Rangers are still chasing a Champions League place and McLeish admits they must silence the vast majority of the 60,000 crowd.
"Of course this is what we are trying to do," said McLeish. "Whenever we go to each other's grounds we try to make our own supporters happy and to make it a happy week at work as opposed to a miserable one.
"We are there to try and help our fans enjoy the next few weeks. It's the last one for me but I am looking forward to it as much as the first one.
"For atmosphere and passion, a game like this is a phenomenal experience."
Guardian Service
