Hearts owner Ann Budge yesterday absolved Rangers of blame following what she has described as 'a very frightening experience' for supporters during Friday's abandoned meeting of the teams at Ibrox.
But the Tynecastle supremo has branded the lack of segregation of fans leaving the ground and parking for supporters as 'clearly inadequate' as police enquiries into the trouble continue.
Budge has conducted her own investigation into events in Govan, speaking personally to police, after Hearts fans claimed they were attacked during and after the ill-fated clash, which was called off due to snow after just 25 minutes.
Social media reports also alleged that Hearts supporters' buses were pelted with missiles as they left the stadium amidst chaotic scenes outside Ibrox, where Rangers fans congregated in an angry protest against their club's board.
Budge fielded a host of complaints and questions from supporters in the aftermath and, after probing a number of issues, sought to address concerns yesterday.
Insisting there was no intelligence to suggest there would be crowd disorder, she said: "At the beginning of this week, we received the official report on the match which was submitted to the League by the SPFL match delegate and I have reviewed it in some detail.
"I have also spoken personally to the Chief Superintendent of Police Scotland in Glasgow. In addition, we have discussed the events with the head of security for Ibrox and with our own safety officer, both of whom were involved in decision making regarding safety issues on Friday evening.
"The SPFL match delegate report states unequivocally that the events of Friday night were in no way caused by poor or ineffective match operation preparation on the part of the home club. Our own Safety Officer shares that view.
"This is an important point and one that is accepted by the club.
"While we may not all agree with some of the decisions taken on the night, I am confident that those decisions were taken in good faith, by appropriately experienced professionals using their judgement, and taking the big picture into account."
Budge is satisfied that Police Scotland are taking events surrounding Friday's match seriously, adding: "Both we, and Rangers' security staff, will be working closely and co-operatively with the investigation, to assist in any way we can.
"As well as trying to identify those responsible, we will work very closely with all parties to try to ensure there is no repetition of this behaviour at the re-arranged fixture."
As yet, there has been no date agreed for the rematch, although Saturday, April 4 has been discussed as a possibility. When the match is finally replayed, Budge has promised to personally oversee security arrangements in a bid to ensure the encounter passes off peacefully.
She concluded: "Lots of questions have been asked about what went wrong on Friday night. As I stated earlier, extenuating circumstances conspired to turn what should have been a showpiece football match into what was at times, a very frightening experience for many supporters.
"I have agreed with Police Scotland that we will personally discuss every aspect of the re-arranged fixture in detail, in advance of the pre-operational planning meeting.
"We will focus closely on segregation issues both inside and outside the stadium, as well as car park security and on ensuring safe ingress and egress from Ibrox.
"Last Friday was not a good experience for any of us, for many reasons. We must all do our best to ensure no repetition in the future.
"As ever, I have to ask that all of our fans play their part in stamping out unacceptable behaviour."
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