Police will be watching Old Firm fans online in the run up to the Scottish Cup semi-final as part of a plan to root out potential troublemakers.

The first match between Celtic and Rangers in more than a year will go ahead at Hampden Park on April 17.

There were 37 arrests the last time the two Glasgow clubs clashed on February 1 2015, when Celtic eased to a 2-0 win in the Scottish League Cup Semi-final.

It is understood online fans’ forums, Facebook groups and Twitter accounts will be watched by officers ahead of the match.

Glasgow’s top cop, Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty, said: “You would reasonably expect we would be monitoring anything that’s available to us. We look at any opportunities there are.

“The majority of people going to that game who are well-intentioned would expect we would do everything that is reasonable to make it a safe environment for them.

“They can have that reassurance that we will do anything we reasonably can. We’ve become far more professional. We’re more focussed on where the threat is.”

Ch Supt McInulty took over from Andy Bates as Area Commander for Greater Glasgow on March 7, the day after Celtic and Rangers were drawn together.

“There’s nothing like settling in gently to your new role,” he said. “I’m now absolutely focussed on that operation and Andy Bates was absolutely right when he said recently that we are ready for it.

“The vast majority of people want to go and enjoy a festival of football. It’s a fantastic sporting event.

“The majority want to go along in a safe, family-friendly environment, enjoy the football and go home safely. We’re there to facilitate that.

“If that means we need to focus our attention on the small minority of people who have other intentions we will absolutely do that. It will be intelligence-led and proportionate.

“We have seen significant success and less disruption at these events. That’s something which will continue.”

Rangers are on course to win the Scottish Championship and return to the Scottish Premiership, which means there could be at least three Old Firm matches next season.

Ch Supt McInulty added: “It’s looking likely that we will have regular fixtures because Rangers are top of their league.

“I’m sure football supporters are looking forward to that. We’ll be ready to ensure it’s a safe environment.

“I think it’s important to give people the reassurance that it is absolutely going to be a focus of mine.

“As for the people who are not going to those events – people who are still living in local communities and relying on us to deliver a quality service – that’s still my focus too.

“It’s about the whole thing. We’re not blinkered.”