FORMER Hearts boss Craig Levein caused anger last night as he called for Nicola Sturgeon to resign during a Sportsound interview.
While discussing the First Minister’s warning to fans following Rangers’ Scottish Premiership title win, Levein said he didn’t want to get involved in politics but in the same sentence said she should step down.
Rangers were heavily criticised in the Scottish Parliament yesterday after thousands of fans headed to Ibrox and George Square to celebrate their title victory.
The First Minister said the behaviour, coming during the lockdown, was “disgraceful” – and said the club itself “didn’t do nearly enough” to stop the mass gatherings.
The club hit back at the claims, explaining the work that had been carried out ahead of the day and saying PA systems at Ibrox played messages telling fans they should disperse.
Yesterday Sturgeon suggested the upcoming Celtic vs Rangers match may be called off, asking for assurances that Sunday’s scenes would not be repeated.
Discussing the situation on BBC Scotland’s Sportsound, Levein told listeners: “I don’t want to get involved in this political situation, I just hope she resigns, basically.”
The show’s host, Kenny McIntyre, stressed the show could “not get involved in that”. He added the First Minister has been working hard through the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: Murdo Fraser hit by backlash over Rangers jibe at Nicola Sturgeon
Online, Twitter users were frustrated with the former Scotland manager. “Craig Levein just said that he wished Nicola Sturgeon would resign. I wish that Craig Levein would resign from being Craig Levein, because whilst he's very good at being Craig Levein, nobody anywhere at anytime ever, was in need of a Craig Levein,” one user wrote.
“There is no greater indicator than something is right than Craig Levein saying it’s wrong,” added another.
Another person wrote: “I would say stick to football but it would be unfair to inflict him on some poor team and it’s fans.”
Yesterday in Holyrood, while addressing the scenes from Glasgow, the First Minister stressed she did not want to call off football altogether.
READ MORE: Rangers rebuked by First Minister over fans’ 'disgraceful' behaviour
“In terms of future fixtures, I said in my opening remarks, there’s a variety of discussions happening over the course of this week, included one between myself and the Chief Constable later today.
“We will report back on those in due course, certainly before the scheduled Old Firm match on March 21.”
She said football had been going on “not for the benefit of the elite sports people but for the fans”.
"Everyone is being deprived of so much right now that the ability to watch a football match and cheer on your team on the television should be something that people should have the ability to do,” she added.
Police Scotland made 28 arrests and issued seven fixed penalty notices for lockdown breaches and incidents of disorder on Sunday.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon takes aim at Rangers over mass celebrations in Glasgow
Memorial benches in George Square were also left smashed after fans spent hours celebrating their win there.
In a statement, Rangers said: "We have proactively engaged with our local MP, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club.
"Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade."
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