Smith saddened by bomb threats

22 April 2011 15:30

Rangers manager Walter Smith believes the parcel bomb threat targeted at his Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon was a new low in the history of the Old Firm rivalry.

Smith at times struggled for words to describe his despair over the news that two viable devices had been sent to Lennon. Other devices were sent to the Celtic manager's high-profile lawyer, Paul McBride QC, and former MSP Trish Godman, who was recently pictured in a Celtic strip. All four bombs were intercepted.

Smith, who first joined Rangers 25 years ago, said: "It has been a bad week for us, I've got to say, and for the Old Firm historically. "In the 20 years I've been involved and being from the west of Scotland, I've never known a week quite like this. It's sad."

Rangers and Celtic meet for the seventh time this season in their crucial Clydesdale Bank Premier League contest at Ibrox on Sunday but the game has been overshadowed by the police investigation.

Smith himself is understood to have been warned by police about his own security amid fears that the parcel bomb publicity could spark copycat attempts.

The 63-year-old added: "When you look at people like Neil Lennon and the other couple of people involved in threats, it's something that unfortunately goes far beyond the footballing aspect."

"You always worry, the people I have just mentioned have had a direct threat and it's them and their families who have got to handle this situation.

"Regardless of what any of us say, for football to get to this level is entirely wrong. And the people who are behind it.... you struggle to find the words actually to say how you feel about the overall situation."

Source: PA