The Scottish Cup Final: Rangers v Hibs

[Anchorman 0]

Back on a football front. I watched Zelalem very closely. He was very tidy at times, but he slowed our whole game down. On the odd occasion when we had a wide runner in space, he feigned to play the pass wide, then checked inside and played a non-effective ball inside. While it looked clever it got us nowhere and left the wide runner having to get back again after a wasted run. He's clever but not intelligent, and that's what separates the good from the very good. He doesn't fit - full stop for me.

[der Berliner 3,249]

Back on a football front. I watched Zelalem very closely. He was very tidy at times, but he slowed our whole game down. On the odd occasion when we had a wide runner in space, he feigned to play the pass wide, then checked inside and played a non-effective ball inside. While it looked clever it got us nowhere and left the wide runner having to get back again after a wasted run. He's clever but not intelligent, and that's what separates the good from the very good. He doesn't fit - full stop for me.

 

Been saying that ever since he signed. No disrespect to Zelalem, he will probably become one of the best in the game. I can't back it with facts, but ever since the loanies arrived from England (bar Ball, who rarely played at the time), our whole attack-minded game lost momentum. Perhaps part of that was that teams were then coping with our attacking style a little better, but as with Law, Zelalem was good at keeping possession, but hardly ever played a quick, releasing forward pass. Which slowed our whole game down considerably, even when a quick counter attack was on. Granted, he was one of the better players yesterday, tackled and moved forward. I take it that Windass and Rossiter will take up a more attack-minded slot next season, with Thompson, Crooks and maybe Barton in consideration for the holding role. Thanks for the memories Gedion and good luck for the future!

[ian1964 10,418]

Every Rangers player on pitch was attacked or spat on by Hibs fans during Hampden riot

 

22:30, 22 May 2016

By Keith Jackson

 

IBROX dressing-room source reveals that all 11 Gers stars who finished the game were either kicked, punched or spat on as they tried to leave the field.

 

EVERY member of the Rangers team was assaulted or spat on during the Scottish Cup final pitch *invasion.

 

The Record understands all 11 players who finished the match were kicked, punched or spat on by Hibs fans as they tried to leave the field at Hampden Park.

 

Our dressing room source insisted that none escaped up the tunnel without being attacked – and midfielder Andy Halliday went missing and had to be protected from yobs by the match officials.

 

Rangers are fuming about their treatment by Hibs and their supporters – who won the cup for the first time in 114 years with a 3-2 win at Hampden Park.

 

The Ibrox club are furious after failing to receive an apology from Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, who called fans “over-exuberant” after the match ended, or chief executive Leeann Dempster.

 

The source said: “Not one of our players got off the park without being attacked in some way.

 

“Every one of the lads was badly shaken because it was a terrifying situation for them to be in.

 

“There were thousands of Hibs fans running towards them. Some of the behaviour was disgusting.

 

“When we finally got inside the dressing room and conducted a head count we realised that one player, Andy Halliday, was missing.

 

“It was a frightening ordeal for everyone and the fact that no one has apologised has made a terrible situation even more unpalatable.

 

“There is also some serious anger about the conduct of Rod Petrie, who described the behaviour of the fans as ‘exuberant’.

 

“I saw people being kicked, punched and spat in the face. Where is the exuberance in that?”

 

Rangers released a statement in which they said they found it “incomprehensible” that no one from Hibs or the SFA had condemned the Hibs yobs.

 

They added that it was “not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister, whose parish is Govan,” commenting on social media without condemning the behaviour of Hibernian’s fans.

 

The club went on: “It is to be hoped that all of Scottish football will share Rangers’ disgust and any attempts to attach blame to our supporters for the disgraceful and violent behaviour will not be accepted or tolerated by this club.”

 

The Record also learned that Halliday was being protected from a mob in the centre circle by referee Steven McLean and his assistants.

 

Fourth official Bobby Madden has also been credited with chasing a Hibs fan who was attempting to attack keeper Wes Foderingham.

 

An SFA source said: “Steven was out in the middle of it all protecting players and acting like a steward. He deserves enormous credit.

 

“A single police officer came striding into the centre circle and told the officials to stay put until more police arrived.

 

“Steven ignored this advice and get his team and Halliday to safety. He was acting heroically out there. The officials really were a credit.”

 

It’s understood that the Rangers board and some senior SFA officials are particularly furious with Petrie’ for appearing to make light of the violence and casting doubt on Rangers’ claims.

 

Yesterday, Petrie – the SFA’s vice-president – declined to make any further comment.

 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson called for action to address violence at football.

 

He said: “The Scottish FA, Hampden stadium management and Police Scotland are carrying out full reviews of the *circumstances, to ensure all lessons are learned.

 

“The Scottish *Government are liaising closely with these organisations.”

 

Both sets of fans were on the pitch after the final whistle. Fans in Rangers and Hibs colours were filmed fighting each other.

 

Sectarian chants were also sung from inside the stadium, despite laws supposedly cracking down on offensive behaviour.

 

*Superintendant Alan Murray , the match commander, is likely to come under pressure to explain the apparent failure of officers to react quickly enough to stop Hibs fans invading the field.

 

There are also question marks over the security cordon at full-time which contained only stewards and which failed to hold back the fans who invaded the pitch.

 

Rangers and Hibs fans yesterday reacted angrily to the pitch invasion and violent scenes on social media.

 

One Gers fan on the Follow Follow site wrote: “You wait 114 years to win a cup and the minute after doing so instead of being filled with joy all you want to do is goad, punch and spit on Rangers’ players and fans.”

 

Hibs fans also condemned the violence. One posted on the Hibees Bounce site: “If Hibs fans have assaulted opposition players, it’s unacceptable. It in no way represents the majority of our support.”

 

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/every-rangers-player-pitch-attacked-8028393#AQwoh1RGa7dWvc1l.99

[jhunter 0]

Every Rangers player on pitch was attacked or spat on by Hibs fans during Hampden riot

 

22:30, 22 May 2016

By Keith Jackson

 

IBROX dressing-room source reveals that all 11 Gers stars who finished the game were either kicked, punched or spat on as they tried to leave the field.

 

EVERY member of the Rangers team was assaulted or spat on during the Scottish Cup final pitch *invasion.

 

The Record understands all 11 players who finished the match were kicked, punched or spat on by Hibs fans as they tried to leave the field at Hampden Park.

 

Our dressing room source insisted that none escaped up the tunnel without being attacked – and midfielder Andy Halliday went missing and had to be protected from yobs by the match officials.

 

Rangers are fuming about their treatment by Hibs and their supporters – who won the cup for the first time in 114 years with a 3-2 win at Hampden Park.

 

The Ibrox club are furious after failing to receive an apology from Hibs chairman Rod Petrie, who called fans “over-exuberant” after the match ended, or chief executive Leeann Dempster.

 

The source said: “Not one of our players got off the park without being attacked in some way.

 

“Every one of the lads was badly shaken because it was a terrifying situation for them to be in.

 

“There were thousands of Hibs fans running towards them. Some of the behaviour was disgusting.

 

“When we finally got inside the dressing room and conducted a head count we realised that one player, Andy Halliday, was missing.

 

“It was a frightening ordeal for everyone and the fact that no one has apologised has made a terrible situation even more unpalatable.

 

“There is also some serious anger about the conduct of Rod Petrie, who described the behaviour of the fans as ‘exuberant’.

 

“I saw people being kicked, punched and spat in the face. Where is the exuberance in that?”

 

Rangers released a statement in which they said they found it “incomprehensible” that no one from Hibs or the SFA had condemned the Hibs yobs.

 

They added that it was “not at all helpful to see leading members of the Scottish Government, including the First Minister, whose parish is Govan,” commenting on social media without condemning the behaviour of Hibernian’s fans.

 

The club went on: “It is to be hoped that all of Scottish football will share Rangers’ disgust and any attempts to attach blame to our supporters for the disgraceful and violent behaviour will not be accepted or tolerated by this club.”

 

The Record also learned that Halliday was being protected from a mob in the centre circle by referee Steven McLean and his assistants.

 

Fourth official Bobby Madden has also been credited with chasing a Hibs fan who was attempting to attack keeper Wes Foderingham.

 

An SFA source said: “Steven was out in the middle of it all protecting players and acting like a steward. He deserves enormous credit.

 

“A single police officer came striding into the centre circle and told the officials to stay put until more police arrived.

 

“Steven ignored this advice and get his team and Halliday to safety. He was acting heroically out there. The officials really were a credit.”

 

It’s understood that the Rangers board and some senior SFA officials are particularly furious with Petrie’ for appearing to make light of the violence and casting doubt on Rangers’ claims.

 

Yesterday, Petrie – the SFA’s vice-president – declined to make any further comment.

 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson called for action to address violence at football.

 

He said: “The Scottish FA, Hampden stadium management and Police Scotland are carrying out full reviews of the *circumstances, to ensure all lessons are learned.

 

“The Scottish *Government are liaising closely with these organisations.”

 

Both sets of fans were on the pitch after the final whistle. Fans in Rangers and Hibs colours were filmed fighting each other.

 

Sectarian chants were also sung from inside the stadium, despite laws supposedly cracking down on offensive behaviour.

 

*Superintendant Alan Murray , the match commander, is likely to come under pressure to explain the apparent failure of officers to react quickly enough to stop Hibs fans invading the field.

 

There are also question marks over the security cordon at full-time which contained only stewards and which failed to hold back the fans who invaded the pitch.

 

Rangers and Hibs fans yesterday reacted angrily to the pitch invasion and violent scenes on social media.

 

One Gers fan on the Follow Follow site wrote: “You wait 114 years to win a cup and the minute after doing so instead of being filled with joy all you want to do is goad, punch and spit on Rangers’ players and fans.”

 

Hibs fans also condemned the violence. One posted on the Hibees Bounce site: “If Hibs fans have assaulted opposition players, it’s unacceptable. It in no way represents the majority of our support.”

 

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/every-rangers-player-pitch-attacked-8028393#AQwoh1RGa7dWvc1l.99

 

every single player?

 

jesus

 

and they want it labelled over exuberance?

[der Berliner 3,249]

Roddy Forsyth uses "denunciation" ... which beggars belief, given what he writes below that ...

 

Scottish Cup final violence shame becomes bitter as Rangers condemn Hibernian and SFA

 

Roddy Forsyth 22 May 2016 • 10:08pm

 

A significant number of arrests are likely in connection with the chaotic scenes which unfolded at Hampden Park at the end of Saturday’s Scottish Cup final between Hibernian and Rangers, Telegraph Sport understands. Police Scotland launched their probe into the pitch invasion by thousands of Hibs fans and revealed that 11 arrests were made on the day.

 

 

However, an extensive process of personal interviews and review of CCTV and social media footage is under way and it is understood that developments can be expected quickly. Hibs are also likely to be landed with the bill for damage done during the invasion, which saw one of the goals collapse under the pressure of their fans and areas of the pitch torn up.

 

A report by Brian Muir – a former long-serving officer with Lothians & Borders Police and the safety and operations manager for Hampden Park Ltd – will be delivered on Monday as the SFA conducts an urgent review of the breakdown of crowd control at Scottish football’s showpiece finale.

 

 

 

The SFA’s Operational Board will examine the actions and preparations of the stadium’s management as well as police procedure and that of G4S, the company responsible for providing the stewards at a fixture designated as a high-risk event.

 

Meanwhile, as Hibs celebrated their dramatic injury-time victory with an open-top bus procession through Edinburgh, they and the SFA were the subject of an angry denunciation by Rangers.

 

 

 

Hibs were accused by the Ibrox club of failing to condemn the incursion by their fans at Hampden Park which saw players assaulted and the trophy presentation delayed by 45 minutes. Rangers also declared that nobody from Easter Road or the SFA had been in touch with them to inquire about the wellbeing of the losing players, who received their runners-up medals in the dressing room after being advised not to return to the pitchside area for safety reasons.

 

The disorder at Hampden occurred when thousands of Hibs fans invaded the pitch when the final whistle sounded on a victory which ended 114 years of failure to win the Scottish Cup. While the majority were evidently bent on celebration, mobbing their own players and congratulating Alan Stubbs and his assistants in the technical area, some of the Rangers players and staff were the subjects of malicious behaviour.

 

Wes Foderingham, the Rangers goalkeeper and the player nearest to the Hibs fans when the final whistle sounded, was the first to be manhandled by encroaching supporters. It is understood that several of his team mates were spat on – some in the face - while punches were also directed at them by Hibs fans.

 

The situation worsened when Hibs supporters made for the other end of the field to taunt those of their Rangers counterparts who remained in the stadium, some of whom responded by entering the pitch area. Brawls were seen to break out and mounted police were required to enter the stadium to help restore order for the first time since the infamous Hampden Riot of 1980, which followed an Old Firm final.

 

Steven McLean and his team of match officials moved to protect the scorer of Rangers’ second goal, Andy Halliday, from threatening fans and it is understood that the Hibs striker, Jason Cummings, also came to his aid.

 

Hibs had earlier issued a statement which said: “We will work with the authorities to identify any supporter who may have taken part in any form of unacceptable behaviour which has tarnished the club’s reputation.

 

“Hibernian will work with Police Scotland, Hampden Park stadium management, the Scottish FA, Rangers FC and any other relevant parties to bring those responsible to book.”

 

However, Rangers responded with a lengthy statement on their club website, partly directed at Rod Petrie, the Hibs chairman and a vice-president of the SFA. The statement said: “No matter how many times Rod Petrie and certain other biased commentators wish to play down Saturday’s mayhem and violence, the truth must not be distorted.

 

“What unfolded on Saturday cannot and must not be put down to exuberance. That is a complete insult to Rangers, our supporters, and those individuals who were intimidated and attacked.

 

“It was clear to most of those who watched in horror that the Scottish FA’s security procedures failed when Hibernian’s fans went over the top in their thousands. It is to be hoped that all of Scottish football will share Rangers’ disgust and any attempts to attach blame to our supporters for the disgraceful and violent behaviour, which led to our players and fans fearing for their safety, will not be accepted or tolerated by this club.

 

“We acknowledge that a tiny minority of Rangers fans also encroached on the pitch but only after having been faced with prolonged and severe provocation and in order to protect our players and officials who were being visibly attacked in front of them. Any club’s supporters would have done the same.”

 

Aside from the pitch invasion by the Hibs fans and its immediate consequences, the SFA investigation is also expected to look into the detonation of flares and alleged incidences of sectarian singing amongst the Rangers support. In almost every respect, the aftermath of what had been an enthralling Scottish Cup final is developing into a deeply embarrassing episode for the game in Scotland.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/22/scottish-cup-final-violence-shame-becomes-bitter-as-rangers-cond/

[RANGERRAB 3,261]

We now wait to see what action the SFA will against hibz.

Doing nothing is not an option Mr Regan.

[der Berliner 3,249]

Today ...

 

An FFer dug this up:

I found these quotes:

 

from Alex Salmond, "This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable. . .we can not have the safety of individuals endangered by such mindless incidents, and our national game tarnished."

 

from Stewart Reagan, "Clearly this kind of behaviour from supporters is wholly unacceptable. The safety of players, club officials and match officials is paramount, on and around the field of play. . ."

 

These quotes, are from 5 years ago, when Hearts fan John Wilson attempted to attack TLB. Wilson received an 8 month sentence for Breach of the Peace, and a 5 year banning order.

 

Amazing how the current First minister, Nicola Sturgeon, commented on hundreds of football supporters encroaching on the field of play, and systematically, provoked, abused and assaulted opposition players, staff and fans. Her reaction. . ."Well done Hibs".

 

Personally, I assume that the Scottish Justice minister, Michael Matheson, will need to count how many spaces he has in his prison, because, he needs space for several hundred Hibs fans in his jails.

 

Also wondering how Hibs will survive as a club, when hundreds, if not thousands of their fans receive banning orders?

 

Precedent was set. I see no wiggle room.

 

If the authorities shirk their responsibilities, we, as club and fanbase, must leave no stone unturned, in our quest to ensure justice is served.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-13368945

[cooponthewing 1,139]

Every player attacked!! I don't really know what to say?? If this was anywhere else they would be stripped of the cup and banned for at least 3 years. Italy, Spain,France, Germany I could go on.

Just watched BBC news, covered the "Glorious Hibs cup winning open top bus parade" with fan interviews!! You couldn't make it up? Again trying to make light of the situation and it is referred to as "fans invading the pitch and violence" not Hibs fans as it should be.

[Oleg_Mcnoleg 50]

Back on a football front. I watched Zelalem very closely. He was very tidy at times, but he slowed our whole game down. On the odd occasion when we had a wide runner in space, he feigned to play the pass wide, then checked inside and played a non-effective ball inside. While it looked clever it got us nowhere and left the wide runner having to get back again after a wasted run. He's clever but not intelligent, and that's what separates the good from the very good. He doesn't fit - full stop for me.

Beg to differ. I thought he was the only one who actually took care of the ball. Passing and effort from midfield was dreadful apart from him. If he did check inside, it's probably because McKay and Wallace were so far behind the play. There were certainly times when we were too narrow but we were pretty garbage when we got it wide anyway. Been critical of him this season but thought he put a decent shift in yesterday. Really bad day at the office for too many players

[craig 5,199]

Back on a football front. I watched Zelalem very closely. He was very tidy at times, but he slowed our whole game down. On the odd occasion when we had a wide runner in space, he feigned to play the pass wide, then checked inside and played a non-effective ball inside. While it looked clever it got us nowhere and left the wide runner having to get back again after a wasted run. He's clever but not intelligent, and that's what separates the good from the very good. He doesn't fit - full stop for me.

 

 

He was comfortably our best midfielder yesterday. Holy was anonymous and Halliday was a yard off the pace all day and got caught in possession far too often. Zelalem not only protected the ball well but changed the point of attack. The reality is that he had few options because so many were off the boil. Waghorn and McKay never gave him an out ball and Holtvwas largely anonymous.

 

Comfortably our best midfielder yesterday