Hibernian won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years at Hampden Park earlier today, securing an extraordinary comeback victory via a David Gray goal in injury time. In terms of ways to win a cup final, it's certainly up there.
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The final whistle saw the release of over a century worth of pent-up anger and disappointment, and it understandably triggered a mass pitch invasion. Unfortunately, it boiled over and was marred by the activities of idiots. Rangers have released a statement in the last few moments denouncing the activities of these fans:
RANGERS Football Club is shocked at the disgraceful behaviour of Hibs fans at full time.
Rangers players and staff were assaulted by these fans who invaded the pitch and in the interests of their safety could not return to the pitch for the medal presentation.
There can be no place for the violent behaviour witnessed at the end of the Final and Rangers fully expect the Scottish Football Association and Police Scotland to launch an investigation to find out where security measures failed.
The Club would like to commend Rangers fans for the restraint they showed under severe provocation.
Here is a collection of footage from the invasion. Sky Sports did not capture any fighting, although journalist Peter Smith did.
More from Hampden pitch invasion. @itvnews pic.twitter.com/RKNBPLIuRC
— Peter A Smith (@PeterAdamSmith) May 21, 2016
Pitch-side at the #ScottishCupFinal pic.twitter.com/lY4MJkuO7S
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) May 21, 2016
Hand-to-hand fighting on the Hampden pitch, a few bloody noses but no sign of serious injury. Police have now restored order inside stadium
— Peter A Smith (@PeterAdamSmith) May 21, 2016
Several of the Rangers playing & coaching staff were attacked by fans during that pitch invasion. Thousands were on before police separated.
— Peter A Smith (@PeterAdamSmith) May 21, 2016
Rangers confirmed to The Guardian's Ewan Murray that their players and staff were reportedly assaulted by supporters:
No post-media media duties from Mark Warburton. Rangers say "several" players and staff "assaulted"
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) May 21, 2016
Police on horseback arrived to cordon off the pitch and reassert control, although not all horses were overly enthusiastic about their job:
Police: Giddy up
Horse: Nah
(Via @Joshpusb)https://t.co/fiJwTDkytO— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) May 21, 2016
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