A TOP Scottish Government minister is backing demands for police action over anti-Irish bigotry in Glasgow city centre.

Rangers fans were filmed chanting about the famine ahead of their team’s Old Firm march with Celtic on Sunday.

The videos have provoked disgust and anger among politicians and the country’s leading anti-Sectarianism charity, which branded the abuse “language of the sewer”.

The Rangers supporters, who were being escorted through the city centre by Police Scotland officers, chanted a song about the Irish famine, a 19th-century catastrophe which left more than one million people dead.

The lyrics tell Irish people to “go home” and claim they have brought “trouble and shame” to Scotland.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, formerly justice secretary, has now joined calls for an official probe.

He wrote on Twitter: “For those hurling racist abuse at our Irish community telling them to ‘go home’ – Scotland is their home.

“Disgusted to once again see anti-Irish racism rear its ugly head. Solidarity with our Irish community.

“I am sure Police Scot will hold those responsible to account.”

Police Scotland has confirmed it is looking into the incidents. 

The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, was another who condemned the scenes.

He posted: "This is not acceptable period. We cannot allow sectarianism or racism in our communities. When you see this it is clear there is a way to go to become a tolerant and respectful society. We all must stand against this behaviour and support our police in doing their duty."

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney added: “The 2009 judgement of Lord Carloway in the case of William Walls v. the Procurator Fiscal is very clear. The Famine Song is racist.

“[Police Scotland] should identify and charge those singing it in a public place with breach of the peace aggravated by racial and religious prejudice.”

The Rangers fans have been rebuked by anti-sectarianism charity Nil by Mouth.

Charity director David Scott told the Scottish Sun: “There is no celebration of football or identity here just ugly, bigoted hatred.

“This sort of garbage should be no more welcome in the 21st century as another prayer racially abusing Glen Kamara or morons on a supporters bus doing the same to Kyogo Furuhashi.

“It’s the language of the sewer.”

Pressure group Call It Out, which campaigns against anti-catholic bigotry and anti-Irish racism in Scotland, called on the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to take action and to "start by recognising our community".

The group tweeted: "This is the kind of racism you don't notice – day after day, week after week, year after year, decade after decade. When are you going to call it out?"

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of sectarian singing by a group of people in the Jamaica Street area of Glasgow on Sunday, 29 August, 2021. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.”