Rangers should face points deduction as former referees call for firm SFA punishments after Celtic flashpoints

05.04.2022 - 14:59 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Rangers should be handed a points deduction following the ugly scenes that hampered the derby clash with Celtic, according to two former referees.

The second half was delayed by after Joe Hart alerted Willie Collum and stewards that his goal mouth was covered in shards.

Following the full-time whistle it emerged that a Celtic staff member was hit with a bottle during the game.

Police Scotland have launched an investigation into the incident and Rangers have stated they are reviewing stadium CCTV to find the culprits.

Former whistlers Steve Conroy and Des Roache have urged the SFA to step in.

The duo reckon that a hardline stance from the governing body is the only way to get fans to "pay attention" to disciplinary action.

On the Get Involved Referee podcast, Conroy said: "Fans particularly don't give a stuff if the club is fined. It makes no difference to them.

"If their team is docked three points, five points, ten points then 20 points then maybe they will pay attention.

"Maybe it is time that the clubs were held responsible for it because nothing else seems to be happening."

Roache backed up the call for a deduction, adding: "I think they've (Rangers) have got to hold their hands up and say they're responsible for what goes on in their house.

"I'd like to think the fans will be identified, reprimanded and season tickets taken off them.

"I think the clubs are under a duty of power to look after anyone who is in their stadium and it's not acceptable.

"For me, I would go down the points deduction. That's where it will hurt the team and the fans if you're going to take this as a serious issue.

"If you close a section of the stand, you're still going to have 35,000 people. What you're missing out in fans, players played