Cove Rangers have launched a campaign ahead of their Scottish Cup date with Rangers but an incident involving an ex-Ibrox star and an Old Firm victory has a few fans apprehensive.
There’s no doubt that playing Rangers in the Scottish Cup would’ve been a gamechanger for Cove financially had fans been involved with a portion of Ibrox gate receipts going to the visitors.
The match has also been selected for TV and Premier Sports will screen the game on Sunday evening at 6:30pm, something which will bring its own financial benefits to the League One side.
But with fans locked out Cove have launched a campaign – supported by Rangers – to get some money into the coffers as part of the lucrative fixture.
The Nothing Without Fans initiative invites supporters to make a £10 donation and enter a prize draw.
Prizes include signed match-worn shirts for both sides, 4 Ball at Castle Stuart Gold Course and Matchday Hospitality for a Cove Rangers game next season. Read more HERE.
Some great prizes and most supporters with a tenner to spare will happily dig deep to support the club and perhaps win a special keepsake as a result.
However, there are some still smarting from the treatment of ex-Ibrox winger Fraser Aird who was sacked by Cove – just days before his contract was set to expire – for gesturing towards Celtic fans in the 2-1 Rangers victory at Celtic Park in December 2019.
Managed by ex-Celtic star Paul Hartley, Cove came down hard on the winger despite the fact they could’ve quietly let Aird leave in the aftermath of the match.
“Cove Rangers FC is aware of an image which is circulating relating to one of our players at the recent Celtic v Rangers match,” said their statement [Daily Mail].
“As a club we do not condone such behaviour and expect all of our players to represent our club in the correct manner at all times.
“Fraser Aird’s contract with the club was due to expire at the start of January and as a result he will be leaving the club with immediate effect.”
Rangers fans generally look after their own first and some supporters have publicly withdrawn any co-operation with the event.
https://twitter.com/Dave4Rangers/status/1376270626479030272
This comment – with some bad language – raked in 850 likes on Twitter.
Many supporters are angry with the public battering of Aird – who apologised for the incident – and previous comments made by Paul Hartley about the club.
It’s important to point out that there is sentiment amongst fans who are eager to support the cause and many understand Cove’s reaction to the Aird situation.
Smaller clubs in Scotland are in desperate need of financial assistance and they form the cornerstone of many communities throughout the country.
However, for others, donating to Cove goes against their principles and that’s fair enough too.
Perhaps it’s a lesson for Cove who on reflection didn’t need to hang the winger out to dry as they rue the situation’s impact on their drive for the Blue Pound.
If you are interested in supporting Cove’s Nothing Without Fans initiative, then please read more about it here.
