pete 2,545 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Rangers and Celtic’s Under-17s Cup Final will be played behind closed doors in bid to avoid more crowd mayhem 18:03, 22 April 2015 By Andrew Dickson NEXT week’s Hampden clash set to go ahead without fans after flares were set off, seats were ripped out and sectarian songs belted out during previous matches. SNS Group Police surround a section of fans after flares are set off in the stands. Police surround a section of fans after flares are set off in the stands. RANGERS and Celtic will play their Glasgow Cup Final next week – with the match set to be played behind closed doors because of past crowd problems. The under-17 game has been arranged for Tuesday night at 7pm and will take place at neutral Hampden Park. It is understood that despite consultation with Police Scotland, the clubs themselves have decided to play the fixture without allowing the general public into the ground. Players and staff from both sides will be given limited tickets to permit family and friends admission in keeping with previous closed-door Development League games. A small number of briefs will also be distributed to selected schools in the city as the crowd is kept to a minimum. Otherwise fans will be shut out from the game, with their only way of seeing it being through the two clubs’ television channels who will broadcast it live. Initially a first-team tournament, the Glasgow Cup was resurrected in the 2007/08 season and every final since has been contested by the Old Firm teams. Craig Watson/SNS Group Rangers fans light flares Although they passed peacefully at first, there was trouble at the 2012 decider at Ibrox when Celtic supporters set seats on fire. A year later, at Partick Thistle’s Firhill Stadium, Gers followers threw a flare at Hoops keeper Jordan Hart while their rival fans ripped out seats and sang songs about the Ibrox Disaster. Gers supporters then set off smoke bombs and flares and destroyed seats during last season’s final at Celtic Park. The fixture has also been a witness to sustained sectarian singing and utter bile. Crowds for group games between the two sides have generally been small in recent seasons and there has been no trouble at those matches. But in the absence of senior derbies between the clubs during Rangers’ time in the lower leagues – and with a trophy up for grabs – fans have turned out in larger numbers for finals. Craig Watson/SNS Group Celtic fans light flares in the stands An attendance of 6,500 was recorded at the 2013 game while more than 8,000 people were at the match 12 months ago. Anticipating a similar turnout at this term’s concluding game but fearing a repeat of the recurring crowd issues, the clubs have acted to stave off any problems. They know even more trouble could result in sanctions and feel the most logical step is to stop fans from getting in, giving them the chance to watch the action online as an alternative. What a pity that they are letting a small group spoil this game for thousands of other supporters. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete 2,545 Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 The City Of Glasgow Cup Final 2015 Written by Rangers Football Club The City Of Glasgow Cup Final 2015 THE Glasgow Football Association is pleased to announce that the City of Glasgow Cup Final will take place at Hampden Stadium on Tuesday, 28th April 2015. U-17 teams from Celtic and Rangers will take part in the Final, which will kick-off at 7pm at the National Stadium. The Glasgow FA has decided that the match, this year, will be closed doors, although a small number of children from local schools have been invited to attend, through the Football Festival and community programmes of the five clubs. We are delighted also to announce that the match will be broadcast on both Club TV Channels. The Glasgow Cup stretches back to 1887 and is actually the second oldest trophy to be played for in world football, and the competition has gained fresh momentum in recent seasons with the re-introduction of the tournament as an under-17 event. The five senior Clubs within the Glasgow Football Association (Rangers, Celtic, Clyde, Partick Thistle and Queen’s Park) compete for the Trophy and due to renewed support and commitment from all clubs, the Glasgow Cup has moved from 'knockout' to a round-robin format, with two semi-finals and the winners then competing in the competition Final. City Refrigeration Holdings has been a long time supporter of Scottish football and the Glasgow FA is delighted that City’s Executive Chairman Lord Willie Haughey continues to sponsor this magnificent event. Lord Willie Haughey, Executive Chairman of City Refrigeration Holdings said: "City Refrigeration is delighted to continue its support of the Glasgow Cup Tournament. I have always felt the Glasgow Football Association has been hugely important in the development of young players in the city. “I know there is a real appetite across all clubs within the city to see young footballing talent flourish, and we are delighted to support the Association in this objective. “The Glasgow Cup has been the starting point for many great football careers across the clubs and we hope to see many more develop during the next three years. "For a number of years, City Refrigeration has enjoyed involvement and investment in Scottish football and we are pleased to continue this close association through the City of Glasgow Cup." Rangers U-17 Manager Billy Kirkwood commented: “I am delighted we have once again reached the City of Glasgow Cup Final and on behalf of Rangers would like to thank City Refrigeration for their continued support. “This tournament gives us a great opportunity to showcase our young players and the squad are looking forward to playing in a Final at Hampden. “Ryan Hardie and Tom Walsh have both previously played in the Final so the young kids can see there is a route to the Rangers first team by competing in these games and performing well. “I have been pleased with the squad’s recent performances, in the last 10 games we have only lost one and have been scoring goals and hopefully we can take this good form into the Final next week.” Celtic U-17 Manager Tommy McIntyre said: “We are really looking forward to the match and we are sure that it will be a great occasion. "We are sure our young players will enjoy the experience of playing in such a prestigious final at the National Stadium and I know they will be doing all they can to win the trophy for Celtic, however we know of course it will be a very difficult match. "The City of Glasgow Cup is a magnificent tournament and has been a huge success in assisting the development of young footballers from all clubs and I know the five members of the Glasgow FA have once again been delighted to take part”. “On behalf of Celtic I would also like to sincerely thank City Refrigeration for their continued backing for youth football in Glasgow, it is greatly appreciated.” 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ser Barristan Selmy 222 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Is Andrew Dickson back working for us? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,957 Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Is Andrew Dickson back working for us? No, he's a freelancer. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC 150 Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 "utter bile" - what as opposed to cheerful, semi-joking bile? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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