Ian Roache was part of The Courier reporting team at Hampden on Saturday. This is his account of what he saw at full-time.
Alongside my colleague Jamie Milligan, I watched from my seat just behind the technical area in the main stand as the Hibernian players greeted the final whistle with sheer joy.
Seconds later, Hibs fans started running on to the trackside from the section beside the corner flag from which Liam Henderson had sent over the two corners that led to the Edinburgh team’s second and third goals.
Stewards did try to stop them but, vastly outnumbered, they were easily bypassed.
Dozens quickly became hundreds and then, in the space of what seemed just a few minutes, there were thousands pouring on to the park.
The vanguard of the Hibs invasion, to my eye, wasn’t composed of over- exuberant supporters keen to celebrate a historic victory.
Rather, leading the way were thugs intent on running the length of the pitch to taunt Rangers supporters, who at this stage were all still housed in the stands behind the other goal.
I personally witnessed two Rangers players, Jason Holt and captain Lee Wallace, being assaulted.
There was a surge as some Rangers fans rushed forward to try to get on the park to confront the rival supporters, many of whom were just yards away from them on the track.
The security line held that time but it would eventually be breached at the far corner and, with hundreds of Rangers fans now on the turf, running battles broke out.
The worst was yet to come, however.
As it was a cup final rather than an ordinary game, most of Rangers’ players and coaching staff had remained on the park after the final whistle as they expected to be going up to collect their runners-up medals.
Instead of contemplating the walk up the steps, however, they had to defend themselves as they were attacked by Hibs supporters.
I personally witnessed two Rangers players, Jason Holt and captain Lee Wallace, being assaulted.
Also targeted was Ibrox assistant manager Davie Weir, a man who is, let us remember, the sixth most-capped Scotland player of all time with 69 appearances for his country.
To their credit, there were boos and chants of “off, off, off” heard from some Hibernian supporters, who had remained seated and just wanted the park to clear so they could see their team lift the cup.
Here he was, at the national stadium he has graced so often as a player, trying to dodge punches and kicks from a bunch of hooligans.
Then memories of Hampden 1980, when Rangers and Celtic fans fought a pitched battle on the park after that cup final, began to merge with those from Wembley 1977.
Just like after Scotland’s win over England that year, a crossbar was broken and grass was dug up by people looking for souvenirs.
It was only when the mounted police emerged from the entrance down to our left that the Hibs fans began to retreat towards their own end.
To their credit, there were boos and chants of “off, off, off” heard from some Hibernian supporters, who had remained seated and just wanted the park to clear so they could see their team lift the cup.
Finally, at around 5.25pm, the trophy was raised by Hibs captain David Gray.
By then the Rangers players were all inside the stadium, some receiving medical treatment. Their medals were handed out in the dressing room.
Neither manager Mark Warburton nor a single Light Blues player faced the media afterwards.
It was a horrible way for such a historic occasion to end.
Scottish football was shamed and there must be, as Rangers have rightly demanded, a thorough investigation into Saturday’s dreadful scenes.
The police reaction was too slow and only effective once the horses appeared.
The stewarding was like a single cork in a bursting dam and should we even be asking modestly-paid stewards to tackle thugs intent on causing chaos and violence?
Scottish football was shamed and there must be, as Rangers have rightly demanded, a thorough investigation into Saturday’s dreadful scenes.
Hampden as a venue was simply overwhelmed by it all and questions must be asked about whether enough resources are being allocated to security on match days.
It wasn’t all about Hibs supporters, of course, with some Rangers fans letting off flares behind the goal and indulging in sectarian singing during the game. Some also joined in the fighting, albeit after being provoked.
However, most of the blame lies with the Hibs hooligans who brought shame on their club on a day when it should have been all about a glorious victory that ended their 114-year Scottish Cup hoodoo.
The Easter Road side will, I expect, be severely penalised for this and the punishment may go way beyond even a large fine. Never again should football players, who are at the very basic level turning up for their work, be subjected to such an appalling ordeal at a cup final or any other game.