Scar still deep as thousands attend Ibrox memorial

The families and friends of the dead attended the service, along with footballers playing on the day of the tragedy, and Scotland's leading politicians.

Rangers players past and present, including the current team, as well as John Greig, the captain on the day of the tragedy, and Alfie Conn attended. Celtic were represented by manager Neil Lennon, chairman John Reid and chief executive Peter Lawwell.

The tragedy happened on January 2 1971 when fans were crushed on stairway 13 of the Rangers Football Club stadium at the end of an Old Firm game.

An eight-year-old boy was among those who perished in the incident as thousands of supporters were leaving the Glasgow ground. More than 200 other fans were injured.

Relatives of the 66 placed posies of blue and white flowers at the stand as Rangers manager

Walter Smith and former player John Greig read the names of the dead.

The 5,000 people attending then fell silent for two minutes as they remembered those whose lives were lost in the disaster.

Celtic chairman John Reid also laid a green and white wreath on behalf of the club and its fans.

The service was led by the Rev Stuart MacQuarrie, who said the Ibrox disaster was a "personal tragedy" for the families left behind by the disaster.

Addressing the service, Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said the disaster was an "unimaginable horror".

He added: "January 2, 1971 is a date that will be forever etched into the soul of the Rangers family.

"Forty years may have passed but the scar is deep. It still is and always will be."