A RANGERS fan who was involved in a city centre riot before an Old Firm cup final has been jailed for 21 months.
Gary Clark, 24, was one of 100 Gers supporters who clashed with rival Celtic fans in Glasgow on December 15 2024.
Rangers and Celtic were to face off later that at Hampden Park which Brendan Rodgers‘ side won on penalties.
Clark, of the city‘s Swinton, pleaded guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner and commit breach of the peace.
Sheriff Daniel Kelly told Clark at today’s sentencing that the incident was “appalling, foolish and shameful behaviour.”
The sheriff added: “You and others with you behaved in a way which was extremely dangerous.
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“You and others with you in this incident behaved in a way like you owned the city centre and free to act in any way you wanted.
“You all pretend to be football fans and support football teams whether it be Rangers or Celtic.
“The truth is that this behaviour had nothing to do with football and was used as an excuse to bring misery, mayhem and chaos to others – that is unacceptable.
“You gave no thought to the safety of others, charity workers and visitors to this city who had to protect their safety.
“The police were called and put their own safety at risk to protect members of public from harm.
“You showed complete and utter disregard to the safety of others – you simple did not care.
“People have a right to visit and work in this city without their safety being put at risk by thuggish violence.
“Due to the level of disorder in this case, the only appropriate sentence is custody.”
Clark was also banned from attending all football matches in the UK for a period of six years.
The court heard before the match, Rangers fans wearing dark clothing, face coverings and Santa hats went towards Celtic bar Connolly’s in the Merchant City area.
The Rangers group banged on windows while there were people within the pub.
They then walked several minutes to another Celtic pub, Gallagher’s bar, near St Enoch shopping centre.
Prosecutor Ryan Watson told Glasgow Sheriff Court: “An unknown Rangers fan entered the pub.
“He was punched on the face by an unknown Celtic fan within and retreated.”
Meantime, a large group of Celtic supporters assembled in the Gallowgate area, close to the city centre.
They walked towards Argyle Street near Marks and Spencer which caused members of the public to seek refuge.
Police officers told the Celtic group to desist from advancing towards the Rangers fans but this was “ignored.”
Mr Watson said: “Both groups came together and a mass disorder took place.
“The disorder continued along Argyle Street with both sets of supporters clashing in front of members of the public, including women and children.
“They were forced to seek refuge in nearby shops to avoid being trampled or struck by lit pyrotechnics.”
The hearing was also told three people in a nearby cafe cut their trip to Glasgow from England short due being worried for their safety.
Another person felt too “frightened and scared” to leave the shop which she was in.
A further witness took a panic attack caused by the disturbance and struggled to breathe.
Lit pyrotechnics were thrown under a bus being used for a charity which three people were inside.
Mr Watson stated: “They were fearful that due to the petrol generator on board, the bus would catch fire.”
Other members of the public then went on the bus to escape from the disturbance.
One of the charity workers feared he would be assaulted as he was wearing a green jacket at the time.
Police were able to separate both groups during which a bottle was thrown and narrowly missed an officer.
The Rangers fans were led to Glasgow Central station where they boarded a train to the match.
The Celtic supporters meantime were directed on foot to Hampden Park by the police.
An investigation carried out identified Clark from CCTV as being involved in the disturbance.
Officers visited his home and recovered Rangers ultras Union Bears merchandise, three season tickets in Clark’s name and a blue balaclava.
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Ian Moir, defending, told the sentencing that his client – who runs his family‘s joiner business – no longer associates with the same “peer group.”
The lawyer added: “He accepts he was part of the crowd and the behaviour of that crowd was totally unacceptable.”
