THE shameful scenes were reminiscent of Scotland’s darkest footballing days.
It’s hard not to draw comparisons with the notorious final of 1980 between Rangers and Celtic, which was meant to change Scottish football for ever, and the Tartan Army’s Wembley pitch invasions of 1967 and 1977.
But 36 years on from 1980, spectators at yesterday’s final were greeted with the same horrifying sights.
Police horses on the pitch, fans hanging from the goalposts.
And there was also the sickening sight of violence.
So-called fans could be seen physically attacking and goading Rangers’ losing players.
Sources at the TV companies who covered the game say they even have footage of men assaulting women in the crowd.
It wasn’t meant to be possible.
Particularly after the drab 1-0 victory for Celtic against Rangers a generation ago on May 10, 1980.
The riot that followed the match sent shock waves through our game.
Legislation drafted in the aftermath saw the outlawing of booze at games and bans on entering stadiums under the influence.
Police even wanted all Old Firm matches to be played behind closed doors.
But the then Strathclyde Police were not blameless – critics said they were slow to react to the riot and didn’t have enough officers at the game.
It was a charge that was repeated following yesterday’s match.
But a spokeswoman for Police Scotland denied the claim saying she believed its response had been measured and timely.
Brian Docherty, of the Scottish Police Federation, himself a former professional footballer who played in games in the late 1970s that descended into riots, said: “I think the police were excellent yesterday.
“Their actions – and that of the security staff – prevented it from descending into a situation like the 1980 final.”
Football commentator Archie Macpherson covered the notorious game for TV in 1980.
During it he said: “This is like a scene out of Apocalypse Now. I feel like a war correspondent rather than a football commentator.”
He wasn’t at Hampden yesterday, instead watching the game from home.
Last night he said there were parallels with the final from 1980.
“The aftermath of the game is hugely regrettable,” he said. “It’s a real disgrace.
“Instead of celebrating a great and historic victory for Hibs everyone will be talking about the pitch invasion. The scenes were reminiscent of the 1980 cup final.”
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