A weekend of cup action in Glasgow was marred by unrest as Police Scotland officers were attacked with fireworks, glass bottles, and other missiles ahead of the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Rangers and Aberdeen. The targeted violence took place on Curtis Avenue prior to Saturday's fixture at Hampden. Several officers were assaulted during the disturbance, while two supporters sustained injuries that did not require medical care. In an unrelated matter outside the venue, police also arrested a man in connection with an assault.
Superintendent Paul Douglas condemned the disorder, stating that the violence was disgraceful, would not be tolerated, and emphasized that being assaulted is not part of an officer's job. Noting it was extremely fortunate that officers avoided serious injury, Douglas warned that everyone involved should be in no doubt that they will be identified and arrested. Confirming that inquiries remain active alongside both clubs, he urged supporters to take personal responsibility for their conduct, recognizing that only a small percentage cause disorder, while appealing for anyone with information to contact Police Scotland.
Further incidents unfolded on Sunday during the second semi-final between Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibernian, where a flare was thrown onto the Hampden pitch. Officers arrested four men, aged between 24 and 37, during the game for offences including possession of pyrotechnics alongside threatening and abusive behaviour. They were released on an undertaking to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date. Police also charged another man for alleged vandalism inside the national stadium and arrested a 28-year-old man outside the venue for threatening and abusive behaviour, with both reported to the fiscal.
Disciplinary action on Sunday continued with police warnings issued to three individuals for threatening and abusive conduct, while three men and one woman are set to be reported to the fiscal for pyrotechnic offences as well as threatening and abusive behaviour. On the pitch, Rangers booked their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen thanks to a late Ryan Nadeeri strike. Derek McInnes' side will now meet Hibernian at Hampden on 13 December, after Hibs fought back from behind to defeat Hearts 2-1.