Hundreds of football fans travelled south of the border yesterday for a chance to watch the Old Firm match in a pub, according to reports. 

Supporters flouted the First Minister's pleas to not travel to England for the game, which Rangers won 2-0. 

In a daily coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon addressed the fans and said: "It’s really not worth the risk.

"Nobody likes the fact that these restrictions have to be in place, but do it to protect all of us and keep us safe.”

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But despite the pleas, crowds headed to bars in Carlisle, the Sunday Mail reports. 

Cumbria police officers upped patrols in the streets surrounding the train station and bars showing the game. 

Glasgow Times:

One Rangers fan from Easterhouse, Tommy Law, 61, told the Sunday Mail: "I got to watch my team win a match and had a couple of beers. It was a great day. There was nothing Nicola Sturgeon was going to say to change my mind.”

Pub owner of The Cumberland Inn Gholamreza Mohtashami said Saturday was one of the busiest since February when he took over the pub. 

He said: “The game was great – it was the busiest it’s been on a Saturday afternoon since I got the pub.

“We had a capacity of 85 per cent and I’d say almost all were Scottish. The police contacted us on Friday to ask if we were prepared and we said we were.

“The atmosphere was great, there was no trouble. I’d welcome more Scots in the future if they want to watch football here.”

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Other pubs decided to close after being inundated with enquiries, such as Gallagher's Irish Bar.

Two men who travelled to Carlisle from Scotland were arrested at a train station in the town. 

Both were arrested for drunk and disorderly, with one also arrested for possession of a controlled drug.

Superintendent Matt Kennerly said: “Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to the fans and licensees who listened to our message last week.

“Intelligence earlier in the week suggested that a large number of fans were thinking of making the journey to Cumbria from Scotland.

“Ahead of Saturday we engaged with coach companies and licensees around the current guidance and to think about their responsibilities, and the restrictions in place.

“We had officers out in Carlisle engaging with licensees as well as fans throughout the day and fortunately, no licences were in breach of regulations and we haven't had to issues any fines.”