Auld Enemy Match Hit By IRA Chants

19 November 2014, 06:12 | Updated: 19 November 2014, 06:24

Tensions ran high as Scotland played rivals England in Glasgow amid reports of anti-IRA chanting by some fans.

Each side booed the respective singing of their national anthems and England supporters were heard singing ''f*** the IRA'' during the match.

Celtic Park was close to its 60,000 capacity for the much-anticipated game as the neighbours met on Scottish turf for the first time in 15 years.

Police Scotland reported no football-related disorder in the immediate aftermath of last night's 3-1 victory to England and said they had not received any reports of offensive chants.

But in the first half, an FA official contacted the band to ask them to stop playing the tune for the chant.

After the game England manager Roy Hodgson said he was unaware of the song but apologised for any offence on behalf of the FA.

He said: "I was aware the crowd were tremendously supportive. I didn't have a clue what they were chanting.

"I don't condone it. If anyone was offended, I'm sure the FA would like to apologise to them.

"All we can do is play our football and be grateful for the support and hopefully they will behave themselves and not get themselves into a situation where their chanting is being criticised.''

More than 200 people were arrested in 1999 when England took on Scotland at Hampden Park and police said ahead of the match that they were monitoring "known troublemakers'' from both countries who they believed were planning to attend.

Around 5,000 visiting fans celebrated after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave England the lead in the first half and Rooney went on to score twice.

A goal from Scotland's Andrew Robertson was not enough for Scotland to repeat their victory over Republic of Ireland at Parkhead on Friday.

Before the 8pm kick-off there was a minute's applause for Scotland supporter Nathan McSeveney who died at the match.

Supporters had mixed views on whether Scotland v England - the oldest fixture in international football - should resume as an annual event.

Tartan army member David McCann said: "You can see from the build-up that it gets everyone interested and it makes a change from the usual boring friendly matches.

"But if it was played every year then I think they'd need to lower the ticket prices.''

England supporter James Ward said: "I'm looking forward to it but I don't think it should be (played) every year, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.''