Glasgow (AFP) – One man was killed after a coach carrying football supporters to a Rangers match overturned on its way to a game on Saturday, a police spokesman said.
The accident happened when the coach, believed to be carrying 36 fans plus the driver, overturned in East Ayrshire to the south of Glasgow en route to the afternoon match at Ibrox.
The man who died was 39 years old, said local police.
“Obviously there are things more important than football and our thoughts are with the people and families involved,” said Rangers assistant manager David Weir after seeing his team beat Partick Thistle 2-0 in the Scottish Premiership.
Witnesses said the vehicle swerved near a roundabout before it landed on its side on a grass verge.
In all, 18 people were taken to hospital with three in a serious condition, a police spokesman said.
Rangers midfielder Joey Barton wrote on Twitter: “Thoughts are with the Rangers fans involved in the bus crash today. Wish them all a speedy recovery.”
On the pitch, Rangers defeated bottom-of-the-table Partick to end a four-match winless streak.
Croatian star Niko Kranjcar opened the scoring in the 33rd minute as he rifled home his first league goal for the Ibrox club.
Andy Halliday added a second seven minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box to hand Rangers their first win in the league since August 20.
The win moves Rangers up to fifth in the table but they continue to trail league leaders Celtic, who defeated Dundee 1-0 earlier in the day, by seven points with their Old Firm rivals having played a game less.
Weir, speaking in place of manager Mark Warburton who was serving a one-match touchline ban, said he was happy to get the win.
“We’ve spoken a lot in the past about performance but I think if we’re honest then today the result was probably more important,” Weir said.
Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald slammed his side’s missed opportunities.
“I thought we started off well in the first half and we were well in the game but we’ve got to score goals when we get chances,” Archibald added.
Elsewhere, Celtic continued their unbeaten start to the season as a goal from skipper Scott Brown early in the second half was enough to claim victory over Dundee at Dens Park.
It wrapped up a good week for the Hoops after their 6-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock followed by a 3-3 draw with Manchester City as they picked up a precious Champions League point in midweek.
Aberdeen remain second heading into the international break following their 4-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, in which Adam Rooney scored twice.
