AN independent probe into the police response to Rangers fans' celebrations over the weekend has been launched.

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) - set up to scrutinise Police Scotland - will examine the force's actions over the weekend in response to riotous scenes witnessed in the city after the Ibrox side seized their first title in a decade. 

Chief Constable Iain Livingston said: "I have asked John Scott QC to consider the events of the weekend at the next scheduled IAG meeting on Friday, March 12, having regard to the fundamental human rights principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, and to consider any relevant issues for the policing of future events over the coming months."

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Mr Scott was appointed by CC Livingston last April to lead "additional, independent and expert scrutiny" of policing in Scotland. 

The exercise will allow police to learn any necessary lessons in the lead-up to other events, said Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf. 

CC Livingston added: “A number of senior officers, including those involved in the policing operation at the weekend, were already scheduled to attend this meeting.

"As has been the case throughout the last year, policing will benefit from the significant value the IAG brings to our thinking and operational practice.”

We told yesterday how the club's response to the weekend's events was slammed by CC Livingston's deputy Malcolm Graham. 

He said: "The behaviour which we saw at the weekend was disgraceful and I utterly condemn the individuals who chose to completely disregard the coronavirus regulations, putting both the wider community and our officers at risk.

"I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home."

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Questions have also been raised around the police's response to the gatherings which saw 28 arrests made on Sunday as fans descended on George Square. 

Sandra White, the SNP MSP whose Glasgow Kelvin constituency covers the city centre, tweeted a number of complaints on Sunday targeted at officers' response, calling it "so-called" policing in one post. 

Green MSP Ross Greer accused cops of facilitating a "mass gathering" rather than dispersing the crowd. 

But CC Livingston defended his officers and said cops took "appropriate steps to manage these challenging circumstances to protect people and minimise disruption to communities". 

He added: “Officers and staff worked, as they have done throughout this pandemic, with impartiality, professionalism and selfless commitment to public service. They have my personal support and I thank them for all that they do to protect their fellow citizens."