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I remember when people smoked in cinemas and airplanes, when people routinely spat on public transport, when drinking and driving was socially acceptable. There are lots of things that were once widely accepted but would cause gross offence today and not all of the changes are down to political correctness. We used to send kids up chimneys and to school with no shoes. We used to condone slavery and racial prejudice. We can hanker after the good old days until we're blue in the face but time only runs in one direction and you have to make reasonable decisions about what is, on the whole, a positive change and what should be resisted. Much as I despise the Catholic Church and Irish republicanism, I find it difficult to find any basis for defending indiscriminate public expressions about f*cking popes or illegitimate f*ni*ns, any more than I could defend child pornography or littering. Give it a rest, Rangers will still be Rangers without crawling in the gutter.

I'm guessing here but I think the club has decided it's time to publicly address this as part of a new strategy to eradicate it or, be seen to be trying to. I think this statement, if it's ignored, will be followed up by 'action'. I expect persistent offenders will find season tickets being cancelled, perhaps parts of the ground might be closed, very public acts by the club to demonstrate their anger around this issue. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly I genuinely think the directors are deeply embarrassed by it. King in particular must scratch his head and wonder how this can still be happening in 2019. I doubt the Park family are comfortable with it either. Secondly it's commercial kryptonite. Nothing repels possible sponsors like an MSP publicly criticising the club for sectarianism. Steve Clarke's recent press conference where him and Boyd spoke about this had one very telling point I thought. The revelation that he was approached by Rangers, or by an intermediary, about the managers job last season was interesting, what was disappointing for me was that he felt he had to ask if he'd be accepted by our support as manager because of his religion. Now I genuinely don't know any Rangers supporter who would reject the signing of any player or manager on the grounds of their religious upbringing. Had Clarke been appointed our manager I think it would have been largely welcomed on the back of what he'd done at Kilmarnock, and any criticism of it might be around his style of play or perhaps not being a big name. But I can genuinely say I doubt anyone on here would have mentioned him being a childhood RC as an issue. Yet he felt it still might be and then a couple of weeks ago he was vindicated in thinking that by the singing of that song at him. That kind of negative publicity gives sponsors sleepless nights. Thirdly nobody in the media or business world has the stomach to get involved in a 'free speech' debate around this. That fight was lost a long time ago, whether people like it or not. If you want to shout obscenities about the Pope in public then society has already decided you've lost any possible counter argument you might make in mitigation. Fourthly, and most importantly, I believe this no longer represents the support as a whole. Most of us left this stuff behind a long time ago. The Roman Catholic church is no threat to our way of life today (if it ever was), like most organised religions here it's struggling to engage with people and it has systemic issues around child abuse, treatment of woman and abuse of power. It's slowly killing itself, it doesn't need someone tanked up on Buckfast belting out about Fenians to push it over the edge. Be under no illusions though, if we want the club to stick up for the support when we're unfairly treated by the media or politicians, we need to accept that the club will also have to criticise and punish those who still indulge in the FTP bollocks. The club has recently shown a willingness to take on our enemies, it would be good if us as a support recognised what we can do to help them, rather than hand a loaded gun to those who hate us and paint big targets on our backs.

I could have written that a short while ago and I’ve been slow to change but I’m now convinced there’s another future for us that’s being denied by people who can’t change. And the really sad thing is that the changes needed are tiny. Certainly not worth the fuss that’s often made about it. We’re no less Rangers fans because we don’t sing about ****** bastards, whether sitting at Ibrox or in an armchair. And we ALL pay to get into the ground. In geology there a famous principle that the present is the key to the past. With too many Rangers fans it seems it’s the past that’s the key to the future.

How about the Board just fellate them in the centre circle before the kick off ?

92 mins to put the Arab Tangerine Haters out the cup. Oh how I smiled?

Steven Gerrard looks to take Rangers a step closer to their first major silverware since 2011 as they go to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last eight. The former Liverpool midfielder, who won the English FA Cup twice with the Reds, has seen his side win three on the trot, scoring 14 goals and conceding none. He cannot wait for the tie at Pittodrie on Sunday, particularly the hostile environment. "The players are in a good place, there has been a lot of positivity in our play in recent weeks," said Gerrard. "But we're aware that this cup tie is a big challenge for us. It's a huge game for us, a competition we want to do really well in, so we can't wait for the game to start. "You don't want to be remembered as just a good player, you want to be remembered as a winner. "That's always the challenge, but for me it's a wonderful game to look forward to as a player, to go to Pittodrie in that hostile environment, against a good Aberdeen team, that's got to be exciting for a player." Aberdeen trail Rangers by one place but eight points in the Scottish Premiership, and manager Derek McInnes feels it will take a big performance to knock Gerrard's side out. "Rangers are a good side but on the day we'll pick an 11 that we feel can do the job. It'll take a big performance but we are obviously capable of winning the game." Team news Scott Arfield and Andy Halliday are both doubts for Rangers going into Sunday's game, having not quite recovered from injury. Max Lowe, James Wilson and Gary Mackay-Steven are in with a chance for Aberdeen. Greg Halford, signed as a free transfer this week, is not match fit but could feature for the hosts. https://www.skysports.com/football/aberdeen-vs-rangers/preview/406305

Well, at least we're still in the cup after what really was a poor display. Far too many basic errors meant we didn't see enough of the ball and we struggled to match Aberdeen physically as they played to the conditions. I'd like to see McCrorie back for the return, that's for sure. In terms of the ref, well, Lowe and Shinnie could easily have been sent off and it will be interesting to see if the former is the subject of a ban for a cowardly push on Arfield. Join the lads tonight to discuss everything live on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN0HlYrMtwc

Not at the races. One of those all too familar days against Aberdeen where a Morelos red looks more likely than a Rangers goal.

This argument gets repeated over and over by those who don't want to change, but it's clearly a weak one. These songs play into our enemies hands - they give them a plausible reason to punish us that an average member of the public would support. Can you think of an example of "something else about us to get offended about" that would seem reasonable to the outside world? You could also argue that anyone with testicular fortitude would take personal responsibility for what they sing, rather than hide in a crowd and have the club and wider support share the punishment for their actions. If you feel strongly about your right to sing these songs, go stand outside Holyrood and give it laldy.

I would hope we also have a security/segregation problem. Corner only for them.

2019, 14:00 by Rangers Football Club 31 RANGERS Football Club takes this opportunity to remind fans of the need to support the team in the correct manner. As the manager, Steven Gerrard, strives to provide excellence on the pitch we, the support, must also strive to protect the club and ensure that Rangers is projected in the best possible light. The majority of our supporters recognise that they are the club’s ambassadors and that unacceptable behaviour has no place in our ranks. Let’s go to Aberdeen determined to make sure that triumphs, like that wonderful 5-0 Scottish Cup replay win against Kilmarnock last week, are not downplayed because of negative headlines generated by unacceptable chants and songs. If this continues, those fans who indulge will succeed only in damaging their own club. Support the team, be louder than our opponents and drive our players forward but let’s do so in the correct manner. Let’s not give anyone a chance to criticise this great club, your club.

He was, almost all of the United Irishmen were including a number of clergymen. Wolfe Tone was dead nearly 60 years before the Fenian Brotherhood was formed though, he had nothing to do with it. This is the problem with words, their meanings change. I suspect many people who use that word use it as a derogatory term for RCs, some use it to simply mean Celtic supporters, others use it refer to violent Irish nationalists and lastly some use it as a term to describe anyone they see as anti-Rangers. If we look at Steve Clarke it's hard to argue those calling him a "sad Fenian bastard" were referring to his strong views on historical Irish history, because as far as I know he's never spoken publicly about these views. So maybe not everyone who uses that word is as concerned with its origins, just what it means to them today. I was in Belfast yesterday, my first visit for pleasure for a while. I used to live there back in the 90s and it was interesting to see the changes since then. I went full tourist and did the did the bus tour, it was cold and wet but still interesting. The tour guide explained that he couldn't describe the various paramilitary organisations as terrorists, because the bus went through areas where they were still quite prominent and they didn't like that word. So he called them "combatants", they were okay with that word he told us. Now some people I know would be furious at that, they're terrorists pure and simple and no other word should be allowed to dignify them. I know others who see them differently, indeed they perhaps even view some of them honourably. Words matter and how people take their meanings matter. Whether you mean it or not, indeed whether those singing it mean it or not, the word 'Fenian' is taken to mean Roman Catholic by many, many people, that's just a fact. On that tour yesterday, towards the bottom of the Crumlin Road there was republican graffiti. Amateur stuff, not the organised murals, just spray paint marking territory. It caught my eye because it contained the short three letter phrase "KAH". That's an abbreviation for "Kill All Huns" and you'll see it throughout Republican areas of Northern Ireland. There are people here who'll tell you that the word 'Hun' isn't sectarian, they'll give you some convoluted meaning, saying it can't be sectarian because they use against Novo and McCann. But be sure that the guy who wrote that phrase on that wall in that particular area meant it to be sectarian, he meant 'Protestants' when he wrote it. The meaning of words changes, and there's very little any of us can do about it, accept it and move on.

Jeez let's keep all the elected members out of it and concentrate on the club's request to keep certain words out of the singing it's not too hard.

His crossing is terrific. He needs to show more bottle though.

It’s just you and possibly a few Neanderthals.

At least the replay will bring an extra wedge of cash to the club. This will be the fifth SC game and we still aren't in the semi-finals. Between the two replays thus far it'll be not far from another seven figure sum to add onto the revenue column. #SilverLining

According to the BBC website.... this game is now going to "Extra Time". They are fucking clueless, or just desperate to see Aberdeen beat us at their midden.

I would have thought this was obvious, The problem is that the SNP already know this however, they think they need the Catholic victim mentality to keep them in power.

Scottish football clubs which fail to stamp out sectarianism risk having to play matches behind closed doors — and even having their grounds shut down for weeks.The Sunday Times understands that SNP ministers favour handing sweeping new powers to local councils to license football stadiums in a drive to improve public order and safety.The Scottish government is expected to indicate its support for the idea within weeks after becoming increasingly concerned about poor behaviour at matches.Last week deputy chief constable Will Kerr, who spent almost 30 years in Northern Ireland, told of his shock at how “normal” sectarianism and “consistently thuggish behaviour” have become.Police are investigating claims of offensive chanting at Tynecastle and reports of coins being thrown onto the pitch at a Hearts-Celtic match last week. A small group of fans were filmed chanting “I hope you die in your sleep Brendan Rodgers. . . with a bullet from the IRA” in an Edinburgh bar game as the Celtic boss quit for Leicester.It came as Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke hit out at Rangers fans who called him a “****** b******”.Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: “When it comes to tackling unacceptable conduct at football, governing bodies and individual clubs must take serious measures to tackle this unacceptable behaviour. However, it would be foolish not to also consider what additional action could be taken. We will continue to consider the full range of options and I will listen to ideas from across the parliamentary chamber, be it strict liability or exploring what can be done within current licensing laws. Nothing is off the table.”In an interview with The Sunday Times today, Irvine Welsh, the bestselling author, said he backed Rangers and Celtic being forced to play matches behind closed doors if they do not act decisively. He claims an unhealthy willingness to accept “weekend bigots” is to blame for the sectarian chanting that has enveloped Scottish football in recent weeks.The SNP MSP James Dornan has proposed legislation to make professional football clubs strictly liable for their supporters’ behaviour. Sanctions under strict liability would include warnings, fines, annulment of match results, the closure of sections of grounds, playing matches behind closed doors and the docking of points.However, ministers are understood to have cooled towards that idea, believing its introduction could be “legally challenging”. In 2013 Scottish clubs rejected a move to introduce it. However, similar sanctions and ground closures, potentially forcing home games to be played away, would be open to local authorities through licensing.This week will see the publication of the report into policing at Scottish football matches commissioned last September by Kerr following an incident at Celtic Park after an Old Firm game when five people required medical treatment. The report, by deputy chief constable Mark Roberts has considered operational planning, intelligence gathering and resource deployment.Labour MSP James Kelly, who led the campaign to scrap offensive behaviour at football legislation at Holyrood, indicated that he is open to new controls.He said: “There is a challenge to the clubs and football authorities to come forward with constructive proposals to ensure responsible behaviour. Previously I have not endorsed strict liability or licensing. However, if the clubs and authorities do not engage positively I would need to consider these approaches.”Liam Kerr, the Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said giving councils new powers would “have to be considered very carefully”.Meanwhile, in a new book Tom Devine, Scotland’s leading historian, and fellow Edinburgh University academic, Michael Rosie, argue that recent media reports of religious hate crime against Catholics in Scotland are overblown and have heightened social anxieties.They write: “Unpleasant things can indeed be seen and heard at football matches, episodes of drunken neddery and parades, but this is not the tip of some bigger and deeper ‘sectarian iceberg’. Rather it is all that remains of a social malaise in terminal decline.” https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/old-firm-to-face-ground-closures-for-foul-chants-qcs80m2h6

In what way are the Masons a cult?

Sometimes it can be very difficult to move on in any aspect of life and this issue is essentially an analogue for the entire human condition. People are vastly more diverse than you will ever see on the surface and place entirely different emphasis on habitual behaviour. Some people have shallow roots and don't give shit what they say or do, changing with the wind. Of the majority with a conscience, some are just better equipped than others to embrace change and to see the bigger picture, particularly the picture that has yet to be painted. In any random group of people there will always be those who cling to old familiar habits and view change as a betrayal of principle and will resist it at almost any cost. The question is, when the status quo has become unacceptable, how do you set about converting the intransigent few whose personal preferences are holding back everyone. If they won't themselves see the need to change, is it fair that they should hold back the majority. The minority also have rights but not the right to deny the majority. Maybe, for the sake of everyone else involved, it's time those who just cannot give up their "fenían songs" just found something else to do on a Saturday. If faced with such a choice, I believe we'd find their numbers are a lot smaller than some think.

I suspect the Record report was lifted from the Guardian interview in yesterday's paper. See https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/01/fernando-ricksen-rangers-netherlands-motor-neurone-disease for full interview.

So the Catholic Church is a cult but Free Masonry isn't.... Aye OK then.

You don't seem to get it or realise that the difference (like it or not) are those decades and current reality. Put bluntly and generally, stop playing the victim regards the songs and simply stop singing them. Then we'd see where that would take us. At this point we'd have to wake-up politically and start being savvy or just be kept in a similar place under a different charge.

Well said

Give them the minimum possible.

Poorest game he's had for us.

Don't care who wants to sign him as long as they have the right amount of money.

That was a very obvious penalty. If you trip someone up who is running onto the ball, it's a definite penalty. Whether you know they're there or not is neither here nor there. The referee was poor today but he got the penalty spot on. The problem is managers like McInnes know how to set up against us because we're too predictable and lack a creative cutting edge.

I should hope so. It certainly warms my heart to have been born under a union jack.

To be fair, it has everything to do with politics. Without politics there would be no offensive songs and probably no contrived offendedness either.

They don’t get upset. They want to hear our ‘nasty’ songs because they think it gives them ammunition. The problem these people have though is they think it’s perfectly okay for them to sing their own ‘nasty’ songs but think we should be punished for ours. This is why SL would never work in Scotland. Impartiality is impossible. You need only look at the Compliance Officer to see what I mean.

It's a shame we don't sing "F*ck the SNP" more often. ??

Totally Missing The Point Loyal

Good question. Maybe there were so many candidates to come off the manager couldn't make up his mind

We have been poor today for the majority of the game. Aberdeen are more up for this than I've seen them in any other game. The referee is clearly refereeing us to a different standard. If Morelos has committed as many fouls as Ball, he would have had 4 red cards by now. Ball has yet to be booked. A draw would be a fair result, but we really need to sort this attitude out. We don't appear to be able to string more than 3 or 4 performances together. It's not an issue of skill. It's all about mental attitude and we don't have the mentality of winners yet.

The ref was terrible again but we just come to expect that these days! Shinnie should be off, Ball should have been off, ridiculous refereeing. Better 2nd half by Rangers and will settle for the replay

From the first whistle he's given them everything but we need to be far cleverer. Especially Morelos whom I doubt will see the 90mins; red card or sub ahead I'd say.

SG has got to change something and some. #StatingraBleedinObvious

Utter joke of a penalty, GMS runs into Goldson's kick who has no idea where GMS is ...

As much as I loved a jolly good rendition of all the party 'now days naughty tunes ' things have moved on so for the benefit of our great club and loyal fans lets get a new song sheet .

The fact that Follow follow is on a banned list speaks volumes. A perfectly good anthem with unwelcome add ons

Personally I dont think sectarianism is any worse these days from when I was a boy one thing that might help the future generations would be if they all attended the same schools from infancy and leave religion to the weekend.

Hope he doesn't get injured on grass.

Or perhaps we set our own standards without reference to other organisations? Yes, people will always come after us, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't ditch stuff that's been single in the past. We should be deciding what's suitable and what's not. Stuff like Tiffany, when I was Young etc is unacceptable and to accuse people of being lickspittles for thinking that just doesn't stand up.

I never know if Gonzo believes it, or just says a lot of it for effect. Either way, just ignore it. As for th statement, I'm happy we are doing this as a club. The directors, management, staff, players, and the majority of the support are embarrassed by the behaviour of a mintority of our fans, and I think it will take a further generation or two before it's eliminated.

We have fans who just don’t care what damage they cause the club, it’s all about them and their agarnda.

1. Politics don’t belong in football, UEFA disbarred it, has SFA ? 2. Glorifying proscribed terrorist groups is in breach of the Terrorism Act. So it’s actually illegal