16 December 2005

Rangers fans warned to travel early for Hearts match

Rangers football fans are being told to travel early for Saturday's (17 December) match with Hearts after SPT put in place measures to prevent overcrowding and anti-social behaviour from fans using Glasgow's Subway to get to Ibrox.

An SPT spokesperson said, "SPT is limiting the numbers boarding trains for the match on Saturday. From a safety and logistical point of view 3,000 fans cannot expect to turn up at a Subway station 10 minutes before the kick-off. The design capacity of our trains is 270 but we have had up to 450 people forcing their way onto carriages in a last minute effort to get to games before they start.

"We also had problems with a minority of fans last Tuesday when a number of SPT staff were assaulted and intimidated by aggressive, drunken fans travelling to the Rangers/Inter Milan match. These incidents have been reported to Strathclyde Police.

"We want to make sure that the majority of sensible, sober fans have a safe, comfortable journey while also protecting our staff.

"The arrangements will be reviewed on a match-by-match basis and have been agreed with Rangers Football Club and Strathclyde Police."

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