By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE ONCE impeccable reputation of Scottish football fans was on the line last night after rampaging Rangers fans ran riot in the aftermath of the UEFA Cup final in Manchester.

Yesterday shocked politicians on both sides of the border condemned the minority of fans who caused chaos after their club was defeated.

Of the 42 arrests made after the match, 30 were said to be Rangers supporters. However, CCTV footage released by Manchester police showed hundreds of fans attacking police.

In one scene, a lone officer was set upon by more than 20 attackers after he was brought to the ground.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the scenes of violence as a “disgrace” and at Holyrood First Minister Alex Salmond described the behaviour of a “small minority” as “completely unacceptable.”

A spokesman for Mr Salmond said the violence was “shocking and utterly unacceptable” and brought “shame to club and country”.

At his regular Downing Street Press conference Mr Brown warned that the violence could jeopardise England’s bid to host the 2018 football World Cup.

“What happened last night was a disgrace,” he said.

“It was a minority but it was completely unacceptable and for that to happen in a public place where the Manchester authorities had made available the facilities for people to enjoy the match.

“They have good reason, both the police and the authorities, to be very angry.

“We do have laws that enable us to control drinking in public places where there is a risk of disorder. We will have to look at these laws for the future.

“Whatever the carnival atmosphere was at the beginning, the fact that it degenerated as a result of the minority being engaged in violence will lead us to have to look at this.”

The ugly scenes in Manchester dominated First Minister’s question time at Holyrood.

Labour leader Wendy Alexander called for an inquiry by Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council, Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police and Rangers security.

Mr Salmond said he understood such an inquiry was to be held, but called for it to be “wider in its scope.”

Noting that some 100,000 football fans had travelled to Manchester he said, “The overwhelming majority in the overwhelming number of locations enjoyed a carnival atmosphere, a festival of football, and the assistant chief constable of Greater Manchester has made that point this morning. I witnessed that myself.

“There were clearly, in one location in particular, severe organisational problems.”

Mr Salmond continued, “It should be said, however, that—regardless of organisational problems and any other questions which can be legitimately pursued by an inquiry—it seems that the behaviour of a small minority of fans was completely unacceptable.”

He said it was “infuriating” for Scottish football and for Rangers in particular, whose fans had, over 25 years, shown how to behave in an “impeccable” manner regardless of circumstances.

“That must always be the message that’s sent from this chamber to every club and to all Scottish football fans,” he said.

The First Minister told MSPs that of the 42 arrests made after the match, 30 were Rangers fans.

He said he was anxious to work with the Home Office to close a loophole allowing football banning orders in England not to apply in Scotland, as one example.

Scottish Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser questioned whether the deployment of riot police was necessary.

But he changed his tack after viewing the released video footage and condemned the attacks as “deplorable.”

“It may be a minority of Rangers supporters who were involved, but their behaviour is inexcusable and it has heaped shame upon their club and country,” he added.