Scottish football's reputation hangs in tatters, ripped apart by thuggery and mindless violence both on and off the pitch.

In almost 30 years watching the game I have never witnessed such scenes and never before sensed such hatred and evil inside a football stadium as I encountered at Celtic Park.

Enrico Annoni is booked

After attending a number of Old Firm derbies you become almost immune to the bigotry and the songs which have little or nothing to do with a game of football, but the risk is always present that one incident will ignite already inflamed passions.

In the early stages of Sunday's encounter a number of 50-50 decisions went the way of Rangers and all around us it was clear that the Celtic fans were being pushed to the limit.

I imply no criticism of referee Hugh Dallas here, I am certain he called everything honestly, but the home support clearly did not see it that way.

Mahe 'deplorable'

The referee's task, already extremely difficult, was made nigh impossible by the deplorable actions of Stephane Mahe and the French defender must shoulder some responsibility for much of what followed his ordering off.

Having just been struck by a missile and having narrowly avoided being attacked by a fan who invaded the pitch, Hugh Dallas then made the most courageous decision I have ever seen taken by a match official.

Neil McCann: Two goals for Rangers

In awarding the penalty which led to the second Rangers goal he made it clear that he was not going to allow himself to be intimidated.

Although the second half was a little quieter in the stands, Dallas was not helped by the actions of certain players on both sides who could easily have sparked a riot.

Red card right

Rod Wallace's retaliation to Vidar Riseth's lunge was understandable, but his sending-off was correct. Riseth then obviously decided to go out a hero and he too was rightly red carded for another disgraceful challenge on Claudio Reyna.

The reaction of the home crowd to the Norwegian was unbelievable - they hailed him as if he had just scored a match winning goal.

The madness continued after the final whistle and Rangers Chairman David Murray should, but I am sure will not, heavily punish his players for their actions.

Rangers' players celebrations upset Celtic fans

To celebrate by going into a Celtic style "huddle" was gross stupidity and confirmed that for many of these highly paid "stars" their biggest problem is learning how to win with dignity.

The few Celtic supporters still in the stadium, provoked into heightened fury, then rushed to the tunnel area to berate the Rangers team some of whom, unbelievably, gestured to the fans as they left the pitch.

The clubs can do little in the short term to erase the hatred and animosity between both sets of supporters which has been allowed to build up over the past one hundred years.

What they can do is make the players aware of their responsibilities and ensure that no-one who takes the field for the Old Firm Scottish Cup Final later this month does anything which could incite further trouble.