Rangers fans flouting rules to celebrate title warned they could delay lockdown easing
Fans of the Ibrox side flouted lockdown rules for the second day running to celebrate their club's historic title win.
Sunday 7 March 2021 22:32, UK
Rangers fans celebrating their side's first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years have been warned they could delay the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "I congratulate @RangersFC on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans.
"But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else.
"If those gathering care at all about the safety of others & the country, they will go home."
Rangers have been crowned champions after Celtic were held to a goalless draw at Dundee United.
The club's fans flouted lockdown rules at Ibrox to celebrate the 55th crown for the second day running.
However, the club were keen to focus on the positives after Steven Gerrard claimed the first major league title of his managerial career.
The former Liverpool star said: "I think the star is the team. There is no ego in the team. Everyone is playing together. There's a great spirit in the group.
"I think everyone - and me included - has expected at some point, as we got closer, to see some nerves or tension or some inexperience.
"But this shows the strength of the dressing room. There's a lot of fearless young players and some real calm heads. We've got the balance spot on at the moment."
A club statement celebrated their unassailable 20-point lead in the league table.
"After a superb campaign so far, Gers' win over St Mirren yesterday put them on the verge of glory, with results elsewhere today meaning they can mathematically no longer be caught, with incredibly six matches still to play.
"It's title number 55 for the club - the most of any football club in the world - and the first in 10 years following one of the most arduous decades in the club's history."
Rangers were consigned to Scotland's fourth tier back in 2012 after financial collapse, but have rebuilt steadily - and have now denied Celtic a record-breaking 10th consecutive top-flight crown.
Rangers cruised past St Mirren 3-0 at Ibrox on Saturday, which brought the title in sight.
And Celtic's failure to find a winner at Tannadice gifted Rangers the silverware.
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Gerrard took over at Ibrox in 2018, and has now completed a remarkable end to Celtic's dominance.