According to Simon Jordan, in order to better regulate the Old Firm derby, Rangers and Celtic should act similarly to Millwall and West Ham.

The two games were played last weekend; the Lions drew 2-2 with their fierce east London rivals, while Rangers won 1-0 at Celtic Park on Sunday.

There was more policing for the Saturday afternoon match, which was the first time the two teams have faced off since the Hammers last played in the Championship in 2012.

Due to prior conflicts between the two groups of supporters at previous games, there were no away fans present at Parkhead.

Similar restrictions will be placed on Celtic supporters’ ability to go to Ibrox later in the season due to the major disturbance caused by fans invading the field during last season’s Scottish Cup quarterfinal match.

An extra degree of security was implemented for the derby, and 400 police officers were on duty for the Championship match at the Den.

After Millwall vs. West Ham, Simon Jordan criticises the Old Firm

Jordan thinks there’s no reason the Old Firm derby couldn’t have the same level of protection as Millwall’s match against West Ham last weekend.

He asserted that in order for supporters from both teams to attend and produce the greatest potential promotion for Scottish football, it is the responsibility of the two clubs to supply the necessary funding to guaranty that the proper degree of protection is supplied.

“So, first and foremost, the reason the fans aren’t inside the stadium isn’t just because the police have intercepted, it’s because they weren’t letting each other’s fans in there because they’re having tantrums with each other, tit-for-tat nonsense,” Jordan stated via Talksport.

“All right, so that’s the initial set of stuff.

“And then they go back in there, and you have all this sectarian stuff, all this other stuff going on, a pitch invasion, and the police weren’t properly resourced, which means they weren’t paid properly.”

“In this case, West Ham and Millwall—and especially Millwall since it’s their game—have made the decision to appropriately regulate this game.

“And Rangers and Celtic didn’t make that decision, which baffles me because these teams have important, serious players.”

Jordan praised Millwall and West Ham for acting appropriately to guaranty that supporters of both teams enjoyed the game at the Den and asserted that Rangers and Celtic should be able to afford the expense of additional policing.

He continued, “They don’t seem to be able to get past making decisions that are sensible for the well-being of their football clubs.”

One of them is about an advertisement for Scottish football, which claims that the two biggest teams should be role models rather than fools who are incapable of relating to each other.

“And second, if these two football teams have this particular sectarian dynamic, you have to properly police it, but they don’t.

“And they only decide not to because it’s a money problem.

“And that doesn’t make sense to me because if Millwall can afford to pay 400 [police], and since riot police and everything else that surrounds them will be expensive, are you telling me Rangers and Celtic can’t?”

West Ham and Millwall’s draw
After a thrilling match at the Den on Saturday afternoon, Millwall was unhappy to draw with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team 2-2.

The Lions led 2-0 at the break with to goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli, but the Irons rallied with goals from Mohamadou Kanté and Konstantinos Mavropanos in the second half.

West Ham vs. Millwall statistics (per Fotmob.com)

Stat

Figure

Anticipated objectives (xG)

2.68

Shots (on target)

19 (7)

Touches in the region of opposition

34.

Large opportunities

5

Precise passes (%)

132 (61%)

Cards in yellow

0

Corners

3

Despite having just ten players at the end of the game due to Kanté’s late red card, West Ham managed to hold on for a point.

With their most recent triumph being in 2004, Millwall has now lost five straight games against its rivals.

Both sets of supporters will have fond memories of the Millwall vs. West Ham match.

Even though Millwall supporters will be upset that their team lost to West Ham 2-0, the match will live on in memory for years to come.

It was a fun match with teams that were evenly matched, played in a suitable setting, and had no disruption.

The late drama only served to add to the fixture’s history, making it a contest with a little bit of everything.

The draw will increase the motivation for the rematch because both teams will be keen to defeat their opponent, especially if they are also contenders for promotion by then.