Aberdeen have publicly endorsed a special tifo celebrating Neil Simpson near the anniversary of a devastating challenge on Rangers legend Ian Durrant.
The Aberdeen Fans project will unveil the controversial Neil Simpson tifo at the club’s Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts at Pittodrie this afternoon (06/10).
This tifo has also been endorsed by Aberdeen themselves, who have promoted the controversial decision on their official club socials and even invited Neil Simpson to come onto the pitch.
The situation has courted controversy amongst Rangers fans who have accused the Dons of glamourising one of the most graphic incidents in Scottish football history.
Aberdeen Ian Durrant tifo coincidence
Whilst Aberdeen make no mention of the challenge on Ian Durrant – which robbed the talented Scotland midfielder of three years of his promising career – it coincides with the anniversary of the tackle.
On 8th October 1988, Neil Simpson produced a horrific challenge on Ian Durrant which saw the Aberdeen midfielder tear the ligaments in the Rangers star’s knee.
The moment is etched into the history of the rivalry between Rangers and the Dons and left an indelible mark on the career of Ian Durrant.
Around 30k Rangers supporters famously turned out for a reserve game to see Durrant make his return in January 1991, whilst the midfielder started a famous ‘winner takes all’ league tie against the Dons at the end of that season.
Rangers defeated the Dons 2-0, with Mark Hateley scoring both the goals to secure the club’s third title of 9IAR.
Ian Durrant would also take Neil Simpson to court for the aggressive challenge and settled for damages in 1993, arguing the challenge was an ’act of extreme recklessness’ (Independent).
The vicious tackle continues to intensify the ill-feeling between Rangers and Aberdeen fans, almost 40 years on.
It also transformed the career of one of the most talented Scottish players of his generation.
Rangers must make feelings known to Aberdeen
Whilst Simpson had an established Aberdeen career in both domestic and continental terms, the timing of the tifo is of questionable significance and has raised major concerns in Rangers circles.
The graphic image of Simpson flying into Durrant’s knee is often used to goad Rangers supporters and is symbolic of the depth of ill-feeling some Dons supporters have with the Ibrox side.
Songs about the tackle continue to ring out around the terraces of Aberdeen, with the vicious challenge a source of celebration amongst elements of the northeast club’s support.
For Aberdeen to plead ignorance surrounding the date is an insult to the intelligence of supporters.
There have been calls amongst Rangers supporters for the Ibrox side to bite back against this decision and show support for Ian Durrant.
Whether this is by refusing to host Aberdeen directors or by making a public show of support, Rangers fans are angry and feel the move is disingenuous from Aberdeen as a football club.
It’s hard to disagree.
The glorification of the challenge is vulgar in the extreme and has no place in the terraces or football and far from criticise it, the Dons appear to be emboldening it.
We’ll wait for a response from a Rangers boardroom who must be furious that this has been allowed to develop and that Aberdeen have given it their official backing.
It’s classless at best, vicious at worst, and we suspect any friendly feeling within the boardrooms might just evaporate at the tifo’s unveiling this afternoon.
