JOHN Swinney demanded Old Firm chiefs clamp down on hooligan fans after masked yobs ran riot before the Premier Sports Cup Final — while a cop chief blamed the SNP Government.
David Kennedy, of the Scottish Police Federation, said ministers need to “wake up and realise they need to invest in the service”.
The cop chief blamed Sunday’s horrific Old Firm rioting on a lack of officers — as it emerged not a single city centre hooligan has been arrested.
He hit out at cash cuts by SNP ministers after the mayhem resulted in a cop being glassed in the eye and at least one fan seriously injured.
Mr Kennedy, who represents rank and file officers, said: “Intelligence should be coming in weeks ahead from talking to the public.
“We need to understand if something is going to happen, where it’s going to happen, where people are planning to meet, so we can do our best to protect the public.
“We don’t have enough officers on the streets to be able to do that because of cutbacks.
“We don’t have the resources to gather intelligence and the result is what happened on Sunday. It’s a total disgrace.”
Hundreds of masked Celtic and Rangers thugs armed with fireworks wreaked havoc in Glasgow before the Premier Sports Cup Final, forcing terrified women and children to flee inside shops for safety.
It is understood that one officer was hit in the eye by a glass bottle hurled through the air as a missile.
And a 26-year-old fan is known to to have been badly hurt as members of ultras groups the Green Brigade and Union Bears pelted each other, and cops, with pyrotechnics.
SPF boss Mr Kennedy said: “The bottom line for us is that the blame goes to the Scottish Government.
“If you look at what is happening with the policing of events, they are trying to save money where they cannot save money.
“We don’t believe there was anybody manning CCTV in Glasgow.”
He added: “The issue for me is the lack of coverage and surveillance — why are we not getting that?
“It goes way beyond football, it has to be about the safety of the public.
“It is frightening and the Scottish Government needs to wake up and realise they need to invest in police.”
Mr Kennedy’s plea comes as First Minister John Swinney demanded Old Firm chiefs crackdown on warring fans.
Mr Swinney said: “The clubs have a role to perform to make sure these fans are held to account.
“This behaviour is in no way, shape or form ever acceptable on the streets of Scotland.”
The First Minister insisted that cops had the violence “entirely well and comprehensively policed”.
People inside a Cafe Nero coffee shop watched stunned as Gers thugs in balaclavas and Santa hats charged their rivals, before being chased back by Hoops yobs at 12.30pm. They engaged in running battles as cops tried to disperse them.
But moments later, Celtic fan favourite pub, Gallagher’s, came under attack as a lit flare was thrown inside, with fans diving clear as it rolled under a table.
Police later envoked special stop and search powers.
Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “Enquiries are ongoing to identify those involved and we will take appropriate action against them. I want to make it clear that the use of weapons and violence will not be tolerated and retrospective enquiries are being carried out.”
Two men, aged 41 and 30, were arrested for alleged drug and pyrotechnic offences.
Celtic, Rangers, the SFA and the SPFL were contacted for comment.