Simon Jordan tears into Rangers & Celtic as he praises Millwall v West Ham events | OneFootball

Simon Jordan has criticised Rangers and Celtic after West Ham's trip to Millwall on Saturday

Simon Jordan has claimed that Rangers and Celtic need to take action akin to Millwall and West Ham to better police the Old Firm derby.

The two fixtures took place last weekend, with Rangers earning a 1-0 win at Celtic Park on Sunday, while the Lions drew 2-2 with their bitter east London rivals.

It was the first meeting between the two sides since 2012 when the Hammers were last competing in the Championship, and there was increased policing for the clash on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, there were no away fans in attendance at Parkhead following recent incidents in previous fixtures between both sets of supporters.

Celtic supporters are similarly going to be blocked from travelling to Ibrox later in the campaign after significant disruption in the Scottish Cup quarter-final meeting last season that saw fans invade the pitch.

A total of 400 police were on patrol for the Championship fixture at the Den, with an increased level of security put in place for the derby.

Simon Jordan criticises Old Firm after Millwall v West Ham

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Jordan believes that there is no reason why the Old Firm derby couldn’t have the same level of security as the patrol that was provided for Millwall’s clash with West Ham last weekend.

He claimed that it is up to the two clubs to provide the financial support to ensure that the appropriate level of security is provided, so that fans from both sides can be in attendance to create the best possible advertisement for Scottish football.

“So, first and foremost, the reasons why the fans aren’t inside the stadium is not just because the police have intercepted, it’s because previously they weren’t allowing one another’s fans to go in there because they’re having tantrums with one another, tit-for-tat nonsense,” said Jordan, via Talksport.

“Right, so that’s the first set of things.

“And they then go back in there, you’ve got all this sectarian stuff, you’ve got all this other stuff going on, you’ve got a pitch invasion, and the police were not resourced properly, which means they weren’t paid properly.

“In this instance, West Ham and Millwall — and specifically Millwall because it’s their game — have decided that they’re going to police this game properly.

“And it was a choice that Rangers and Celtic didn’t make, and it perplexes me because you have significant serious individuals at these clubs.”

Jordan claimed that Rangers and Celtic should be able to afford the cost of extra policing, crediting Millwall and West Ham for taking the right action to ensure the game was enjoyed at the Den by fans from both sides.

“They don’t seem to be able to find their way past making decisions that are sensible for the well-being of their football clubs,” he added.

“One of them is about an advertisement for Scottish football, which is the two biggest clubs in Scottish football should be role models, not idiots that can’t relate to one another.

“And two, if you’ve got this unique dynamic about sectarianism inside these two football clubs, you’ve got to police properly, and they choose not to.

“And the only reason they choose not to is because it’s a financial issue.

“And that makes no sense to me because if Millwall can afford to pay 400 [police], and because it will be a cost, riot police and all that other stuff that goes around them, are you telling me Rangers and Celtic can’t?”

Millwall’s draw with West Ham

It was a lively affair at the Den on Saturday afternoon, with Millwall left disappointed to only claim a 2-2 draw against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Goals from Caleb Taylor and Camiel Neghli had put the Lions 2-0 ahead at half-time, but second half strikes from Mohamadou Kanté and Konstantinos Mavropanos pulled it back for the Irons.

A late red card for Kanté meant that West Ham ended the game with only 10-men, but they were able to hold on for a point.

The result means that Millwall have now gone five games without a win against their rivals, with their last victory coming in 2004.

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Millwall and West Ham game will be remembered well by both sets of fans

While Millwall fans will be disappointed that their side dropped a 2-0 lead to West Ham, the game will still be well remembered in years to come.

It was a game without much disruption, played in the right atmosphere and it was an enjoyable contest between evenly-matched teams.

It was a match with a bit of everything, with the late drama only adding to the history of this fixture.

The draw will add further incentive for the reverse fixture, as both clubs will be eager to ensure they get the better of their rival, particularly if they are also in the mix for promotion by the time they meet again.