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Rangers win celebrated by large Belfast crowd despite Covid lockdown

BBC Rangers fans in Belfast celebrating title winBBC
A large crowd of Rangers fans gathered in the Shankill area following the club's Scottish Premiership title win

A large crowd of Rangers fans took to the streets in Belfast to celebrate the football team's Scottish Premiership win in spite of strict Covid-19 rules in Northern Ireland.

The gathering happened in the Shankill area on Sunday after the Glasgow team became league champions for the first time in 10 years.

The win denied rivals Celtic a 10th title in a row.

Under Covid-19 guidelines, public gatherings are currently prohibited.

Rangers fans in Belfast celebrating title win

Earlier on Sunday evening, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) urged people to stay at home.

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In Scotland, large numbers of supporters made their way to Ibrox Stadium and Glasgow's George Square to mark the achievement despite warnings to stay at home.

Rangers fans in Belfast celebrating title win

Nicola Sturgeon said the crowds were "infuriating and disgraceful" and could delay the end of the Covid lockdown.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said earlier that he understood the desire to celebrate "but that doesn't justify breaking the public health rules".

"No one is more delighted than myself to see this success for the Gers. It's been a long road. But so has the battle against Covid," he said.

"It would be a bad day for Northern Ireland Rangers fans if a hallmark of 55 league titles was to be fans in ICU beds rather than being able to cheer their team on to more success.

"There will be plenty of time to celebrate in due course when the vaccine has been rolled out."