
POLICE chiefs blasted Celtic and council bosses for failing to organise a title party fanzine.
They now face having to tackle more booze-fuelled mayhem in Glasgow city centre next Saturday.
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Tens of thousands of Hoops supporters are expected to celebrate their team’s Premiership triumph in the Trongate area, which has been hit by disorder three years in a row.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: “Our preference was for an organised event or fanzone which would cause far less disruption, reduce levels of antisocial behaviour and improve public safety.
“Police Scotland requested this be considered with our partners, including Celtic FC and Glasgow City Council, as part of planning discussions.
“Unfortunately, this option wasn’t progressed. We’re now working on the assumption that supporters will gather in the Trongate area.”
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He added: “We’ll do all we can to deal with anti-social behaviour. I’d urge supporters not to gather in large numbers and to respect the residents, businesses and wider public using the city centre.”
Last year’s league-win bash ended with 19 arrests, four cops injured and a £73,000 repair bill for the council.
But a local authority source claimed an official event would not halt the chaos.
They said: “No one who has thought about this for more than ten seconds thinks Celtic fans would ditch their street party for an event organised by the council.”
Enrico Corvi, who runs the Val D’Oro chip shop next to Trongate, said the city should arrange something official for the fans.
He said: “It would be great if they did treat it as a proper joyful event. It’s a great opportunity to put Scottish football back on the map in a positive way.”
Thousands of jubilant Celtic fans gather at Parkhead for title party as they let off pyro and await fan return
A city council spokesman said: “We have been clear, this season and in previous years, that we would support any effort made by our football clubs to organise safe, sustainable celebration events for their supporters.
“We know from our discussions that an organised event is also the strong preference of Police Scotland. However, there has been no request from them for the council to organise or host such an event.”
Celtic were approached for comment.