Idiots spoil the day for these Old Firm youngsters

Shutting the gates on Tuesday night’s Glasgow Cup Final is a bold move.

But given the shameful scenes witnessed in previous years, I’m fully behind it. Yes, it’s terrible that it has come to this embarrassing even. And when you consider that the first real Old Firm game in years passed off fairly peacefully a few weeks ago, you could argue the fans deserve the chance to attend this one.

But for me it’s a different thing altogether and this is a shot across the bows that certain elements on both sides need.

Don’t get me wrong, things these days are miles better than they were when I was young.

I remember playing for Celtic Boys Club against our Rangers counterparts at Glasgow Green and crowds being 10 deep around the pitch.

That was a hairy experience, I can tell you.

I also remember standing in the Jungle at Parkhead during Old Firm games as a youngster and it was bedlam.

Back then the Police would say the game passed off peacefully if they had to make anything less than 100 arrests!

Thankfully, those days are gone. But problems have surrounded the Under-17s game for a few years now and the clubs are correct to make a stand.

With crowds of 8-10,000, you wouldn’t expect much bother.

It hasn’t worked out that way, however, and, for me, it’s obvious why.

Amongst the 50 or 60,000 who would attend a first team game, there is a huge percentage of ordinary fans, sensible folk who dilute the idiot element.

At the Glasgow Cup, that hasn’t been the case.

The so-called “Ultras” groups attached to both clubs have, therefore, made up a much greater percentage of the crowd and they have taken over.

They goad each other into greater and greater displays of stupidity by ignoring crowd control rules, throwing flares and ripping out seats.

They have turned what should be a great occasion for their team’s young players into an expensive and dangerous pantomime.

And when you consider the risk that the clubs could be sanctioned for what goes on at these games, I can understand why they have taken this step.

The time is right to cool things down.

I hope it’s not a step that lasts forever, but for this year at least, it’s for the best.