Hearts have taken the extreme step of closing a section of a stand in their ground after disorder marred last week’s Edinburgh derby with Hibs.
A section of Tynecastle’s Wheatfield Stand will be closed after numerous incidents in last week’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs. There were several incidences of flares being used, items being thrown onto the pitch and unacceptable language.
The 200 or so season ticket holders in the section will be offered new seats elsewhere in the ground. The drastic measure was announced via a strongly worded statement by Club Chairperson Anne Budge.
This news could well bring greater scrutiny on Rangers’ responses to such incidents at Ibrox. Just as it will the rest of Scottish football.
The country has been exposed to a new wave of hooliganism with a prominent discussion now taking place in football and in government. Rangers too have found themselves at the centre of this.
James Tavernier has twice been assaulted at away grounds in Scotland (Hibs and
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There was also the incident surrounding sectarian singing and Steve Clarke which was
deservedly condemned by chairman Dave King.
This season has seen a rise in the number of high-profile incidents between clubs across the country. Clearly, clubs are wanting to take stricter approaches to this and the onus is now on fans to respond. If they don’t, the spotlight will surely shift back to the club.
Are punishments too severe and is the problem being overblown? Or do clubs, Rangers included, need to be more proactive in their approach?
