By STACEY MULLEN

FOOTBALL fans have been warned by cops not to drink too much booze ahead of the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

The final between Rangers and Hibernian kicks off at 3pm on Saturday – and Superintendent Alan Murray, who is the Scottish Cup Final match commander, has urged fans to think about how much alcohol they consume before heading to Hampden Park.

His warning comes after the semi-finals in April between Rangers and Celtic, and Hibernian and Dundee United had an earlier kick-off time of 12.30pm.

He said: "The biggest issue for police on match days is generally those who drink too much ahead of the game.

“On this occasion the kick-off is a bit later than usual - 3pm - so fans will have more drinking time beforehand.

“Most will be sensible, but some will totally underestimate the amount they've had to drink and are not best pleased when they are turned away from the game - for their own safety and that of other supporters inside the ground.

“Why miss the game just because you have had a few too many?

“Our advice would be, if you are going to drink, do so sensibly and come along and enjoy the day.”

He added: "I would also remind fans coming from Edinburgh and the east of the country of the by-law in Glasgow that prohibits the drinking alcohol in the street. It is an offence to do so and you will be charged if caught. It's also illegal to drink on the coach/minibus or train to the football.

The event is a sell-out and over 50,000 fans are expected to descend on the stadium in Glasgow’s South Side.

Superintendent Murray added: "The Scottish Cup Final is the one of the biggest games in the football calendar and one that we always look forward to policing.

"The planning for the final, which is a sell-out, is well underway and as always the focus for Police Scotland is the safety of fans going to and from the game as well as that of everyone else who will be in the city centre and around Hampden Park.”

Police Scotland confirmed that there will be extra patrols at the ground and in the city centre.

They also urged fans to avoid taking pyrotechnics and other prohibited items into the ground.

He said: "Additional police patrols will be at the ground and in Glasgow City Centre and we are working with our colleagues at British Transport Police to assist with minimising disruption and congestion on major routes and to ensure anyone intent on causing any trouble before, during or after the game, will be arrested.

"There will also be an additional security cordon around the ground where police and stewards will search supporters looking for pyrotechnics, as well as other prohibited items. Pyrotechnics are very dangerous, not only the fact they explode and can hurt someone, also when they go off, people move away from them causing the crowd to move or surge causing crushing and people falling over. Please do not being any into the ground.”

He added: "Both sets of fans are well versed at visiting Hampden. They've both been here this year already with no issues and I am confident that will be the case next Saturday.

"All I can say is to plan your journey, get to the game on time, don't overdo it with the drink and have a great time."

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Graham McInarlin, Area Commander for Glasgow South, has spoken about the disruption to locals living in King's Park and Mount Florida.

He said: “We will again address these local hotspots that have caused issues in the past such as anti-social behaviour.

“I have met with a number of local elected members and they have been reassured that disruption can be as minimal as it can be for such an event.”