There have been violent clashes near Ibrox in the build-up to Rangers’ match with Croatian side NK Osijek on Thursday evening.
Eyewitnesses on Twitter have reported a big police response to apparent clashes between supporters, with the circumstances not yet clear on how it all started or if anyone has been injured.
Ibrox is chaotic right now!!! Flares being thrown, people getting kicked in the head – nightmare! #Ibrox #Rangersgame pic.twitter.com/X8X5vrWcuA
— Marianne Chirray (@Chirray) August 2, 2018
One Twitter user said Rangers fans were attacked out of nowhere with innocent bystanders caught up in the chaos.
Actually these hooligans appeared from nowhere & attacked rangers fans my husband has been caught up in it sadly! Poor children involved and mixed up with this
— ellecee__x (@Missy_Teex) August 2, 2018
Another said that as well as helicopters, cars and vans in the area, police have deployed mounted units, with traffic brought to a standstill on Paisley Road West.
The helicopters are out, along with mounted units, bikes, cars and vans. Paisley Road West is in total gridlock. Two to three dozen officers blockading one area out of view.
— Miss Vandi (@DarkFlameboy) August 2, 2018
The Mirror have published one video that shows a man being kicked and punched on the ground while another man throws a flare.
Although the drama was only down the road, there is unlikely to be serious problems inside or immediately outside the stadium, with the match kicking off just minutes ago and the police presence clearly now huge.
It’s a sad start to the evening, football violence in 2018 is completely archaic and we hope no-one is seriously hurt and that everyone gets home from the match safely this evening, as well as Rangers picking up the European victory they need of course.
The Gers hold a 1-0 aggregate lead over the Croatians and a solid performance should see us through to the next round of UEFA Europa League qualifying.