5 days Ago
A Glasgow bar has slammed 'vandals and hooligans' after a flare was lobbed into the venue ahead of the Old Firm Cup Final. In a shocking clip shared online, CCTV footage from Gallagher's Bar on Howard Street shows a masked man trying to enter the boozer, which Celtic supporters can be seen in, before being punched in the face. Moments later a flare is then chucked through the doorway of the watering hole as a large group of people can be seen marching along the street outside.
READ MORE: Disorder before Rangers v Celtic match slammed as being 'utterly unacceptable' After the lit pyrotechnic device was thrown inside the bar, punters of the venue can be seen jumping to get out of its way and take cover. It is understood the incident took place ahead of the Rangers v Celtic Premier Sports Cup Final on Sunday, December 15, at Hampden Park in the Southside. Following the dangerous situation, the bar has thanked its customers who have shown 'concern'.
In a social media post on Monday, December 16, the bar and grill revealed no one was injured during the horrid scenes. They said the only real damage to the venue was its smashed windows. However, slamming the violent actions of those involved in the incident, the pub said the 'whole situation could have ended differently'.
READ MORE: Young man brutally attacked and missiles lobbed at cops ahead of Old Firm In the Facebook post, they claimed if anyone was sitting directly behind the windows which were smashed, they could have been 'hurt by the incoming glass and multiple objects'. They also say the flare, which was lobbed into the boozer, narrowly dodged a customer who could have been harmed. Slamming the horrific incident, the venue said those who 'organised and carried out vandalism and hooliganism' should be 'utterly ashamed' of themselves.
Meanwhile, the bar also said supporting a rival team is not an 'excuse' to 'terrorise' people because they choose to support the opposition. They also said it is not a reason to 'attack businesses' either. Yesterday, police confirmed they received a report of windows being smashed at a premises on Howard Street at around 12.
30pm on Sunday, however, officers did not confirm whether it was Gallagher's Bar. An investigation is underway to track down the culprits. 15.
12.2024đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó żRangers vs pub of Celtic fans, click here for more videos: https://t.co/v6qQBOnHQO pic.
twitter.com/fu9uFjxGqC In the post, the venue said: "Following Sunday's incident at Gallagher's, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the concern shown by our customers and all who messaged us. "Thankfully, no one was injured, and the only real damage is our smashed windows.
"However, the whole situation could have ended differently. "We are a bar and kitchen that has families with children in eating on a daily basis, and had there been young children present at the time, it could have been more devastating. "The windows that were smashed are directly behind the majority of our tables, and had anyone been sitting there, they could have been hurt by the incoming glass and multiple objects.
"Not only were the windows smashed, but a lit pyrotechnic flare was thrown into the premises, narrowly dodging a customer who could have been harmed. "Those who organised and carried out vandalism and hooliganism should be utterly ashamed of themselves. "Supporting a rival team is not an excuse to terrorise people because they choose to support the opposition.
Nor is it a reason to attack businesses that are just trying to make a living. "We would like to reassure our customers that the damage to the windows is now safe & and secured, and we will reopen on Wednesday for business as usual.".
