The letter Rangers chairman Douglas Park sent to the Scottish Government regarding “inaccurate” comments a variety of SNP politicians have made about Rangers has been leaked.
Journalist Peter Adam Smith shared the letter on social media this afternoon after previously confirming that the club had contacted First Minister Nicola Sturgeon regarding the response to supporters gathering for title celebrations at Ibrox Stadium and George Square on Sunday.
Rangers accused Nicola Sturgeon of a “dereliction of duty” by refusing to properly engage with the situation prior to Rangers winning the league whilst Park described over-zealous comments by deputy first minister John Swinney as “inaccurate, unbalanced and unfair”.
Swinney had previously described Rangers’ silence over the gatherings as “deafening” whilst he also described supporters as “shameful” and expressed concerns over Rangers’ “conduct”.
The club also criticised the suggestion – made by the likes of justice minister Humza Yousaf and clinical director Jason Leith – that UEFA were watching the situation with regards Glasgow’s status as a Euro 2020 host city.
Footballs governing body moved quickly to distance itself from the suggestion with Glasgow’s ability to host the games under threat if it cannot provide space for crowds inside Hampden.
In the letter, Douglas Park outlines the wide array of phonecalls and meeting Rangers had with key government and council stakeholders as the club’s 55th title neared closer and closer.
Park also pointed to messages made via the Ibrox tannoy asking supporters to disperse and also claimed Rangers had utilised “global sporting icon” Steven Gerrard to send the right messages before the weekend’s matches.
“It is particularly disappointing that there has been an lack of acknowledgement from the Scottish Government to the wide range of efforts we undertook in recent weeks to limit public safety issues,” said Park [Smith].
“It is also particularly disappointing that Mr Swinney has chosen to lambast Rangers, given the fact that we had proactively initiated engagement with Police Scotland, the SPFL, the Scottish Government as well as the local Member of Parliament.
“To brand us as ‘disgraceful’, is indeed a ‘deep element of concern’ for Rangers as we believe the narrative is unfair but crucially totally inaccurate.
“I must reiterate my concern and displeasure of the claims of the Deputy First minister that there is a lack of leadership at Rangers Football Club.
“This brings my reputation as Rangers Chairman, the reputation of the Rangers board and managerial team into question.
“I think this is particularly disingenuous given the fact that we have outlined the timeline above, and more importantly the fact that you have failed as a constituency MSP to engage with us directly on this matter.
“That to me is a lack of leadership and a dereliction of duty.”
Towards the end of the statement, Park would also insist that Rangers would not be used as “a political football” and reiterated Rangers’ willingness to work with key stakeholders regarding future celebrations provided they “maintain a level of balance and fairness”.
The comments have been resoundingly supporters by Rangers fans, who are delighted to see the club defend its corner against attacks from government:
https://twitter.com/hrsl1702/status/1369279951594217474
https://twitter.com/legendsofibrox/status/1369272745582854145
https://twitter.com/AVK1972/status/1369302498582880267
https://twitter.com/cccammy1/status/1369276041362092034
https://twitter.com/simon1872/status/1369275800952913920
Rangers’ title celebrations will not blemish the outcome of the season for supporters who’ve waited ten long years to celebrate a Scottish Premiership victory.
The Ibrox club’s supporters even raised over £13k – more than double the amount required – to replace damaged memorial benches in George Square after the exuberant scenes.
