A STASH of “potentially dangerous” items was discovered inside Ibrox Stadium hours before Monday’s Old Firm clash.
Cops at the powderkeg fixture found the haul, including a baseball bat, in a bin.
It came to light after members of ultras fan group the Union Bears were given early access to Rangers’ ground to place banners ahead of the 12.30pm kick-off.
They were thrown out by police and club staff after a “cursory search” revealed the items.
A source told The Scottish Sun: “There were about a dozen items including a baseball bat.
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“Who knows why they were there or who put them there but it’s obviously very disturbing.
“Cops and club staff deserve credit for making the find and acting so swiftly.”
Two men — part of the group allowed in early — were later charged with minor drug offences.
Superintendent Emma Croft said last night: “Police engaged with a group of supporters given access to Ibrox in advance of the Rangers v Celtic fixture.
"During a cursory search, a number of potentially dangerous items were found secreted in the stadium.
“Two men have been reported to the fiscal for minor drug offences. Inquiries are ongoing.”
We can also reveal Ibrox staff and locals called cops over clashes in the area on Saturday — with reports of “males with weapons” involved in violence two days BEFORE the first derby of 2023, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Supt Croft added: “Shortly before 4pm on Saturday, police received a number of calls reporting disturbances and males with weapons near Ibrox.
“Police attended and there was no trace of any disturbance on arrival.”
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