James Tavernier has pointed the finger of blame at Hibernian for the security lapses that led to his Easter Road ordeal.
The Leith club’s chief executive Leeann Dempster was forced to apologise to the Rangers captain after a pitch invader was allowed to leap from the East Stand to confront him during Friday night’s clash.
The shameful incident occurred despite Hibs chiefs drafting in 50 extra stewards after a glass bottle was thrown at Celtic ace Scott Sinclair just six days earlier.
Beefed-up CCTV coverage were also introduced to scan the section where the bottle was hurled from.
Another shameful night in Scotland and it’s only halftime… a supposed Hibs fan involved with James Taverier…it’s only a matter of time before a player gets seriously hurt by a fan… these morons need locking up…— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 8, 2019
But those measures did not stop a 21-year-old male hurdling the advertising boards just yards away from where the missile was launch at Sinclair as he squared up to Tavernier.
Scottish football has seen a worrying rise in unsavoury episodes this season with missile throwing and unacceptable chanting among the incidents that have dragged the game into the gutter.
Now Tavernier says Hibs must take their share of the responsibility after their fans were allowed to step out of line for the second time in a week.
The Englishman said: “Every time I have played at Easter Road, that stand is normally the rowdy bit where their fans are saying stuff.
“First and foremost, no fans should be allowed on the pitch. That is down to the security. It shouldn’t happen.
“No player should be targeted by fans going on the pitch or having coins thrown at them. We had an incident a few years ago where they raided Hampden. These things shouldn’t happen.
“That is down to the clubs and the security to stop this, but fans shouldn’t be trying to intervene.
“It’s stupid. It shouldn’t be allowed at football stadiums. Fans should be enjoying the game, they shouldn’t be able to jump on the pitch and interfere with any players.
PFA Scotland statement on last night's incident at Easter Road https://t.co/oEOTuhDHah— PFA Scotland (@PFAScotland) March 9, 2019
“Leeann has apologised and it should be kicked out of football. We saw incidents a week ago and it shouldn’t be happening.”
The confrontation came just as referee Steven McLean blew the half-time whistle.
The Hibs supporter brushed past a steward before leaping the hoardings to enter the playing surface.
Tavernier was bending down to pick up the ball but the man kicked it away before pushes were exchanged between the pair.
Two police officers then moved in quickly to lead the man away.
Dempster admitted after Friday’s 1-1 draw she was “embarrassed” by the affair and refused to rule out closing Easter Road’s trouble-spot sections if fans continue to step out of line.
Tavernier added: “It is one of those things where your instincts just kick in.
“Someone has come on, I didn’t know what he intended to do when he booted the ball and caught us.
“But it is one of those things where you need to keep a cool head and not react. The police came in and escorted him away.”
