Thousands of Rangers fans have gathered outside Ibrox in Glasgow to celebrate the team’s title win, many lighting red and blue flares and few wearing masks.

Fans cheered and chanted as players left the team bus before their home game against Aberdeen, their last of the Scottish Premiership season, which kicked off at 12.30pm.

If they avoid defeat, they can create history by finishing the season unbeaten.

Rangers will be presented with the trophy at Saturday’s game, the club’s first in 10 years and 55th overall.

Police Scotland called on crowds to “disperse and take personal responsibility and use Greater Glasgow safely and respectfully”.

After the trophy is lifted, hundreds of fans are expected to march into the heart of Glasgow, with the Union Bears fan group announcing plans to walk from Ibrox to George Square, a little over four miles away.

Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said on Twitter: “This is ultimately about personal responsibility. If you have gathered you should disperse, particularly given yday’s announcement about COVID in Glasgow.”

The Scottish government previously criticised Rangers’ response after thousands of fans gathered outside Ibrox and in George Square on the weekend they clinched the title in early March.

On Friday night, scores of Rangers fans lighted red flares simultaneously along the Clyde close to the Clyde Arc, known as the “squinty bridge”.

Chief Superintendent Mark Sutherland, commander for Greater Glasgow division, said: “Under the current restrictions no-one should be gathering in numbers of more than six at the stadium or any other location.

“The sacrifices people have made have allowed for further easing of regulations, however we continue to ask people to take personal responsibility and to use Greater Glasgow safely and respectfully.”

Earlier this week, Mr Yousaf urged supporters not to gather.

This is the key point – take personal responsibility.

While there is a significant Police presence at Ibrox and across City, this is ultimately about personal responsibility. If you have gathered you should disperse, particularly given yday's announcement about Covid in Glasgow. https://t.co/TOEUSbIzTo

He wrote on Twitter: “Understand what an important season it has been for @RangersFC but I am urging fans not to gather during the trophy presentation on Saturday.

The virus, he added, “has not gone away.”

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