Police officer and steward injured by St Johnstone fans

Police officer and a steward injured by St Johnstone fans who flouted lockdown rules after watching their side win the Betfred Cup Final on Sunday.

Hundreds turned and to ignore ‘Stay at Home’ government guidelines as they turned out at McDiarmid Park to welcome home the cup winners after the 1-0 win over Livingston.

Supporters could be seen setting off fireworks and gathered in a huddle when the arriving team buses arrived as they ignored the club’s plea to stay clear of the ground.

Saints chiefs have since expressed their disappointment after an officer and steward suffered minor injuries from the illegal outdoor gathering.

A St Johnstone spokesperson said: “The club is working closely with Police Scotland to assist their ongoing investigation regarding last night’s events at the stadium.

“We are disappointed that certain individuals ignored the advice of the club not to come to the stadium and we hope the officer and steward who suffered minor injuries recover quickly.

“We must again ask that the public refrain from entering the McDiarmid Park stadium site due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.”

Police Scotland have confirmed they are investigating Sunday night’s scenes.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Police were in attendance around 6.15pm on Sunday, 28 February, 2021 following a large crowd gathering outside the stadium of St. Johnstone Football Club, McDiarmid Park, Perth.

“Officers attended and the crowd was dispersed.

“One officer and one steward sustained minor injuries and enquiries remain ongoing in the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The cup final was played behind closed doors, with fans up and down the country still banned from going through the turnstiles and attending games due to the ongoing pandemic.

Social media users hit out at the police officer and steward who was left injured by St Johnstone fans…

@Finola_Mac: No. This is what will cost your club thousands in police costs. So selfish. So stupid. We’re in LOCKDOWN. This behaviour should not be allowed.

@aht1869: Ran out of blue flares in B&M?

@Jimmy_Jazz1985: Means so much they’re willing to kill the vulnerable. Could @TaysidePolice @policescotland please investigate for Covid breaches

@huntero1874: Can’t see much virus spread there. Mair folk at the McDonald’s drive thru earlier

@arctic_jambo: Before anybody calls social distancing etc. They’re probably all from the same household

@RHanratty99: Good on them. These days dont come around often!

@WildRover1882: Fair play, but where is this when the fans are allowed into grounds?

@SeannHamiltonn: Interesting police letting this happen. Lets see in couple weeks time.

@Jack_Robertsonn: Imagine this x100 in George square tho

@kieza_67: Didn’t realise they had any fans from what I could see last time I was at McDiarmid Park

@TwistzZ__: Wait until rangers win the league in a few weeks and we will be slated everywhere on every paper for flares, large gatherings etc and this will have nothing

@liam_barnett: That’s going to go down well with Nicola Sturgeon!

@FenianGambino: who do St Johnstone fans scrap with? Their livestock?

@Galafoxes: The Green Brigade will be heading up to Perth to pick up those crash barriers

@ColinLawrie5: Good on them. Hope they enjoyed themselves

@MKRangers72: Well done st Johnstone fans well deserved

@dave_n84: Wait till Rangers win 55, that’s fuck all compared to what’s coming.

@Baz177: Hope the 7 involved were fined and arrested

@stevochalmers52: But protest and marches were okay last summer? Let them enjoy their win

@JL1690: Still a wee party considering what’s coming

It appears that Police Scotland are well aware of a long overdue celebration on the horizon.

Internal police communication has emerged advising of ‘disruption to duties’ and cancellation of rest days ahead of Rangers potential title clinching weekend days from now or otherwise on 21st March.

Police Scotland on Gers title alert with ‘disruption to duties’ call.

Full story @vitalrangers pic.twitter.com/FB6sV8hWZe

— Graeme Hanna (@graeme818) March 3, 2021

If Rangers win on Wednesday night against Livingston and follow that up with a win at home to St Mirren on Saturday, that would result in Steven Gerrard’s side being officially crowned champions on Sunday without kicking a ball, if Celtic do not beat Dundee United at Tannadice.

If they don’t get all three points then the stage will be set for Sunday 21st March with the Old Firm clash at Parkhead with Rangers only needing one point to confirm their status as title winners, for the 55th time.

We could see similar to the scenes in Liverpool last summer when they ended their long title drought, it would be foolish and unreasonable to expect no scenes of celebration over the coming weeks, so police are stepping up.