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I don't think you can doubt the credentials of the data, I can't see why the guy publishing it would make something like that up, it could cost him his job for a start. The echo chamber nature of modern digital media, and it's particularly pronounced when it comes to football and politics, can lead to tunnel vision, the lack of exposure to people with different views can lead to you believing they simply don't exist. For me this data simply underlines the one universal truth about our support; that it's a very broad church. Personally I've not been to a Scotland match for a couple of decades, having been to almost every home match for the two decades prior to that. I've absolutely no time at all for middle-aged men dressed as extras from Rob Roy and my heart sinks when you see them marching around with feathers in their hats and a look on their face that suggests they think their more Scottish than anyone else. Knobs. But then, in all honesty, I cringe at some of our songs and some of our fans too, it doesn't stop me supporting Rangers. I hate flag waving (all flags, whatever their colour or design) and all shows of nationalism (all nationalism, whatever its flavour) make me uncomfortable. Yet I still find myself turning on the radio or the TV and following the Scotland match. In the end I still want 'us' to win, or at least fuckin compete. I also think that international football is perhaps the only 'pure' football left at the elite level. It's much harder (although not impossible) to buy success at that level, smaller nations can and do compete, and at some level it clearly stops being directly about money for the players and becomes about winning for winning's sake again. Yip, I know doing well at international level has a direct affect on a players earning ability and profile, but it still feels less mercenary than club football. For me then this simply proves that despite the best efforts of our haters, and some of our own, you simply can't pigeon-hole the Rangers support. We're broad, we come from all over, we've no proscribed views on any subject except wanting Rangers to win. Plus, on some level, the sheer pain and frustration watching Scotland brings does make watching Rangers all the more enjoyable, even in recent years.

Joe Aribo looking extremely positive ? Not done or signed but news today really positive as above Should be treated as rumour etc but I’m confident Never done till it’s done so we will see

I await the Tartan Army, Glasgow Merchant City Battalion, rocking up to the National Stadium dressed as nuns. Royal Stewart wimples, de rigeur.

The self-styled "Tartan Army" became an end in itself; various worthies appointed themselves "Commanders", or some such, of area based "Battalions"; the football became of increasingly secondary importance. One need only consider the songbook, the most notable of which are "The Tartan Army Boys", and, Gawd help us all, "Doh-a-Deer", neither of which relate to the team, or even the sport. Maybe I am missing something (irony?), but it all seemed, and continues to seem, very much "Carry On Scotland", and as camp as a row of tents.

The majority of Rangers fans don't attend matches regularly so there might be something in what you say. Fat Eck always went to Scotland matches and was in the Supporters Club last time I spoke to him (which was a few years ago now) so some who go to both do exist. It could be under 10%, I'm not sure what that proves though? Like a lot of people I was initially surprised by this, but as the club with the biggest support I suppose the odds were we'd still be well represented. As I understand it the data comes from the official Scotland Supporter's Club member database, there's an option on it to declare what side you support apparently. It was the head of digital for the SFA who published it. I'm not sure the SFA are all that interested in deflecting criticism, they're fairly impervious to it all in all.

At this stage of their careers they simply need games, they need to be playing week in and week out and learning their trade. If that's not going to happen at Ibrox then it's better for everyone they go out on loan. It's very hard for a teenager to become a first team regular at our club.

He is far too technical for Aberdeen. McInnes just wants cloggers.

I see that hard on the stiletto heels of a loss to ENG's Lionesses, our lassies have lost to Japan's Ladies, by 2 goals to 1. Following in the ignominious footsteps of the men, it seems. I knew that the campaign would not go well when the authorities banned the squad's wives and girlfriends from the camp.

After the way the SFA treated our club I would think very few of our fans support Scotland .

Sensible post. I think there was a change in the "Tartan Army" about 20 odd years ago. IMO it changed from a group of genuine football fans and became a glorified travelling social club. In my own experience the members that I have spoken with very limited knowledge of football and seem to know more about watering holes in far flung places like Riga and The Faroe Islands. each to their own I suppose but I think there are unfortunate parallels with the demise of Aberdeen in 90's and the demise with the Scotland national team/Tartan Army. Aberdeen went from a team that challenged for honours right into the 90's and then almost became a parody of themselves in the aftermath of that successful period. Their fans almost wore their down turn as a badge of honour to the point that they sarcastically cheered getting corners, touching the ball during regular humpings by the OF and European teams. Why the hell would they accept this? It's embarrassing. (They have also subsequently created a "rivalry" with Rangers to maintain their interest). I see the Scotland team and some of their fans in the same light. (the same sarcastic applauding happened during some of our drubbings). We've accepted mediocrity for so long it has almost become the norm in my eyes. Let's face it, a blind man could see that there should have been major changes in our game many decades ago but the usual myopic SFA were happy enough to take the money from fans who were happy enough to pay over the odds for a tin pot stadium and truly woeful game experience for so long. As long as we get some Proclaimers, Runrig prematch, get bladdered into the bargain, what happens on the pitch disnea really matter...

I guess all it proves is that a vast majority of Scotland fans are not Rangers fans (and most will probably be Rangers haters), despite the headlines.

I was waiting for you to comment @JohnMc because like me you seem to have more exposure to Rangers fans outside the central belt bubble where all the anti-Rangers issues are magnified. Most Rangers fans in Scotland don't know what the BBC thing is all about, they don't know what our problem with the SFA is and they don't make it to many games. They still buy the strips for their kids and watch any Rangers games that are on tele and listen to them on the radio. But the idea that the ordinary Rangers fan doesn't support Scotland sounds reasonable only to those who regularly frequent fans forums. To those who don't, they would probably think you meant Celtic fans.

He still does; I was sat next to him at the Cyprus game. ? I tend to go to most Scotland home games but do so on an ad-hoc basis. I probably go enough that I might benefit from joining the supporters club but I never know if I'm going until the last minute, unlike with Rangers where I happily commit to the full season at the outset.

Well said. Time we got back to producing a decent core of the national side like we did with Greig, Henderson et al. At the moment only Jack is a contender (I would have him even just as right back cover) though Hastie and McCrorie may not be too far away.

I am most concerned about Mike Mulraney. I live in Alloa and everyone who knows him or his brother could tell you how much their family hate anything remotely related to Rangers. It is deeply concerning that a man of his character has managed to worm his way into the SFA.

Meanwhile, at Paddypower...... Next Conservative Party Leader Boris Johnson. 1/5. Jeremy Hunt. 6/1. Michael Gove. 16/1. Rory Stewart. 18/1. Sajid Javid. 20/1. Dominic Raab. 50/1.

New players don’t have to be exceptional to justify their recruitment, they just have to be better.

I understand that point but I still think that Rangers supporters should go and support and be louder than the people who jeer our players. I have always thought you never solve a problem by walking away.

I don't really get why you would not want to support your national team to be honest. I support Scotland, not the SFA or the Tartain Army. I won't let these people take my support for my national team away. Do I agree how Scotland is run these days then the answer is no but we can't change things by running away we can only change things by being bigger and louder than the rest. If people want to support Engerland or Ireland then fine but unless you have a connection then they are the ones with the identity crisis. My support is in front of the telly of course.

Greg Stewart update ... and a video compilation:

If we dont stand up for ourselves they will walk all over us.

The board intimidated previously they would go to war. It’s time we went after everyone in the SFA and Shame FC re their cover up. We publicly challenge why that sewer of an institution is being shielded, and we have to get cross border authorities involved. If we receive chastisement in the press we challenge them to prove they are not involved? It’s time the gloves came off and we go to war with these scumbags! We have to go with the Nuclear option, these lowlife need to be held to account.

Played beside Arfield I think he will do well. Better than Jones imo.

Now we know why Petrie and Mulraney have been put in place. I don't understand what they hope to gain from pursuing this. It can only be a fine. It will probably cost more to chase it.

The source is a good one, given his job and data available to him.

celtic are very pleased with their useful idiot, Petrie and their supporter, Mulraney. Fans of other Scottish clubs couldn’t care less nor could the clubs themselves except those in lower divisions who have zero influence. The followers of other clubs have an ingrained antipathy to Rangers in much the same way as English fans have towards Manchester United. Why not if you’ve been under the cosh for decades? The signing of English players like Butcher, Woods and (ahem) Sounness plus the apparent riches of Marlborough, then Murray, and the singing of Rule Britannia raised envy to hatred and that’s never going away. Scottish fandom and football press, in my guess, are predominantly Nationalist - Jimmy Hill an’ that. Hence they accept batterings from celtic because celtic ar’nae English like sevco, ken? The solution is to gain control of the SFA by some means beyond my competence to know. Either that or join the Carlisle and District League and work our way up from there. Where would Rangers be now if that had happened in 2012 with a competent manager? Anybody answering Admin2 is a tim.

Is there no way that these guys could be removed from power, the whole sfa from top to bottom needs ripped up and to start again, do fans not have a say in who runs it, there must be something that could be done. I know any suggestions would fall on deaf ears if it was coming from rangers and it would just be sevco blah blah blah and I think celtic are quite happy to have these two dobbers in place

This is a few days old now but thought it was worth discussion. Sorry if covered elsewhere. Obviously the names Petrie and Mulraney are toxic. Not quite sure of the process but cant help feel Rangers (or club1872) should be commenting on this in some capacity. Would hate to think that moves like this can just happen "unopposed" in this day and age.

In what way can an individual board member “hold the board to account”? It seems to me that’s a fantasy that far too many fans bought into ... literally.

Only if it suits the board. Otherwise they are pissing against the wind. How will board secrecy work? Board meeting of 1872: Oh xxxxxx you had a meeting of the board last night what was said? I can't tell you it is a board secret. But you are on our board. Yes but I am not allowed to discuss Rangers matters.