Rangers fans have criticised a small set of supporters who took part in an offensive chant aimed at deceased Celtic legend Tommy Burns during the win over Livingston.
The Gers support had been in fine voice all afternoon at the Tony Macaroni Stadium and helped cheer their side on to a 3-1 victory over the Lions.
However, the match has been overshadowed by the behaviour and the immature chanting of some supporters during the Scottish Premiership victory.
Some fans were clipped singing “Merry Christmas Tommy Burns” on the anniversary of the former Celtic captain and manager’s death. It’s clipped below but obviously be warned.
In thoroughly depressing scenes, supporters are clearly indulging in the chanting as a morose insult to the one-time former Walter Smith Scotland assistant Tommy Burns.
Rangers legend Smith was a close friend of Tommy Burns and this has been mentioned several times as Gers supporters railed against the disrespect.
Many will point also to the behaviour of small pockets of Celtic fans when it comes to Smith – a recent minute’s silence in honour of Smith blighted by rival fans – but the wider Rangers support must keep their own house in order before pointing fingers.
There has too long been a culture of disgraceful – often violent – singing in Scottish football and the wind is clearly blowing in a different direction from the terraces of yesterday.
If supporters cannot get it into their heads that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable – and unwelcome – then they will begin to learn the hard way through bans and public intolerance.
Right-thinking Rangers fans thoroughly embarrassed about Tommy Burns chant
Going to a football match is no excuse to level disgusting abuse and disgraceful language and to do so in the name of Rangers Football Club is a continuing embarrassment to the rest of the support.
As supporters – on both sides of the Old Firm divide – perhaps there has never been a greater responsibility or opportunity to challenge this behaviour.
The times they a’changin’ and these knuckle-draggers are being called out by supporters angry that once again the club’s name has been dragged through the mud by so-called “fans”:
It’s clear Rangers supporters are ashamed of this behaviour and let’s hope that those responsible either change tact or – if they refuse – are banned from attending.
Scottish football consistently lets itself down with this sort of behaviour and once again Rangers fans have found themselves apologising for the actions of neds they don’t even know due to the Tommy Burns chant.
Meanwhile, a certainly more agreeable chant has continued to ring out from the stands as supporters welcome new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.