Speaking on the BBC’s Scotcast podcast, which is set to be released on Thursday, the First Minister criticised the fact that four days passed before either club commented on the violence, which saw supporters exchange punches and missiles.
According to the Press Association, Mr Swinney said: “I think we’ve got to try to bring the clubs together with the football authorities because at a very basic level, I am not prepared to tolerate that violence at a football match.
“I think it took them too long to say anything about it, bluntly.”
John Swinney said it took too long for Celtic and Rangers to condemn disorder that broke out after last Sundays cup tie .
Mr Swinney also accused some fans of going to the match with “malicious intent”.
“Who needs to go to a football match wearing a balaclava? It wasn’t very cold that day,” he remarked. “You’re going there with malicious intent. You don’t need to wear a balaclava.”
Mr Swinney previously said that he would not bring his teenage son Matthew to an Old Firm match.
Speaking after the incident, which began when Celtic supporters rushed onto the Ibrox pitch after the side won the match on penalties, Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said that a number of arrests had been made
Chief Superintendent Stephen said that officers and members of the public were injured by supporters armed with “items clearly intended to cause harm” during the “despicable display”.
She said: “The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society.”
It was later confirmed that nine arrests had been made in the hours after the brawl.
