Scotland’s ambulance service is currently in crisis with people having to wait hours and hours for paramedics to arrive – and the situation could be about to get a lot worse.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already announced that she has called in the Army to help with the current situation as services are stretched to breaking point.
With the COP26 climate conference just around the corner at the start of November, it could get even worse.
It is predicted that 999 ambulance calls could rise by 28 per cent as thousands of people descend on Glasgow.
As one paramedic tells us today, that would turn a crisis into a catastrophe.
But this illustrates a wider problem for Glasgow as the eyes of the world are turned on our biggest city.
With Covid on the rampage, hospitals in the city are full to bursting and the ambulance service is at breaking point.
At the same time, the streets are awash with litter and the Glasgow council is accused of letting the city’s infrastructure crumble.
It is no wonder people are asking if Glasgow is fit to host such a prestigious and crucial event.
With the world watching, COP26 it is vitally important the city shows its best face to the world.
We all know how great a city Glasgow is.
But it is time for the political leaders at the council, at Holyrood and Westminster to all work together to make sure Glasgow is in the best possible shape.
This is a once in a generation opportunity for Glasgow – Scotland’s biggest city must not blow it.
Czech warning
The vile racist abuse Glen Kamara faced during and after the Slavia Prague game last season was has no place in society.
It was great to see so many across Scotland coming out and supporting the Gers midfielder.
But it is shocking that Glen’s lawyer Aamer Anwar now fears for the safety of the Rangers players and fans when they head to the Czech capital to take on Sparta Prague.
UEFA needs to send out a strong warning to Sparta Prague – and the so-called ultras who follow Slavia – that abuse of any kind will not be tolerated.
Any repeat of the horrific racism and abuse faced by Kamara should meet with immediate sanctions from the football governing body – including point deductions, fan bans and, if needed, chucking offenders out of the competition.
Fans should never go to a football match and fear for their life. If the authorities take a tough approach, then hopefully football will be the only talking point after this crucial game.
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