Rangers, who last month secured a return to the SPL when they won the Scottish Championship, were bidding for their 34th Scottish Cup triumph but were downed 3-2 in stoppage time by Hibs.
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Whatever their reasons and excuses Hibernian and Rangers fans should not have taken to the pitch to resort to violence and hopefully all those responsible will be held accountable by the authorities and banned for life by their respective clubs.
Strike partner Jason Cummings played Stokes down the left wing and the striker raced at the retreating Rob Kiernan and James Tavernier in the Rangers rearguard before slotting an angled shot beyond Wes Foderingham.
Assistant chief constable Mark Williams also said officers had acted quickly to separate fans and that police had learned from “tragedies in the past” not to try and corral fans.
The statement also refuted any suggestions that Rangers supporters should take any share of blame for their part in the shameful scenes.
“This is one of the worst incidents of its kind I have witnessed in the United Kingdom”, said Regan.
Officials at the Glasgow stadium initiated crisis procedures, and the Scottish Football Association opened an investigation into the “contemptible behavior”, and said it was “appalled by the scenes of disorder”.
The majority of Hibs fans on the pitch were celebrating their side’s victory and likewise the majority of Rangers fans in the stadium – those who remained in the stand – could only watch on as the horror unfolded.
“It is particularly disappointing that both sets of players were denied the opportunity to go to their supporters in the traditional manner; the Hibernian players were denied the opportunity to celebrate a momentous occasion for their club with their supporters whilst the Rangers players were unable to collect their medals and acknowledge their supporters after a long season”.
Sources say the team remained in the dressing room in the face of “fears for their safety”.
It is believed that Lee Wallace, Andy Halliday and Jason Holt needed medical attention.
Hibs have issued a statement condemning the violence on Saturday and said the club will do all it can to support the criminal investigation.
‘In particular, the club will do everything in its power to bring to book any Hibernian supporters found to have been involved in the most serious allegations of assault – including assaults on the staff or players of Rangers FC.
A Rangers statement read: “Rangers finds it incomprehensible that no one, either from within the Scottish FA or Hibernian Football Club, has condemned Hibernian’s supporters following the violent scenes at the end of yesterday’s Scottish Cup final when Rangers players and members of our backroom staff were physically and verbally assaulted”.
“What unfolded on Saturday can not and must not be put down to exuberance”.
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“When you’re faced with many thousands of fans trying to get onto a pitch, our priority has to be public safety. I can understand it but I can’t condone it”, Stubbs said. “Whatever comes our way we will take it on the chin, but it will not take away the pleasure and pride of what we have just achieved”.
