ian1964

Once more the European focus on football hooliganism is trained on Scotland and not England. The spotlight of the UEFA disciplinary body is again fixed on the rampaging antics of some Rangers fans, whose reputation for violent disorder and discriminatory chanting and singing spans several decades. And, surprise, surprise, once more the Ibrox apologists are blaming everyone except the Rangers yobs for the fighting and seat-throwing in Bucharest. The previous time Rangers fan rioted at the 2008 UEFA Cup Final it was all the fault of the local council's crowd arrangements, the brutality of the Manchester police and blank television screens. Back in 1972 when Rangers won the European Cup Winners Cup in Spain and marred the success with another full-blown riot it was according to Ibrox legend triggered by Franco's fascist thugs. The latest attempt to defend the indefensible comes from Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain, who pledges to "fight" his fans corner blaming insufficient turnstiles and insensitive stewarding and policing. Even if that is true - and it is for UEFA to rule on that- what is indisputable is that Rangers fans ripped out seats and used them as missiles, while some visiting fans charged the security forces. The video evidence shows that just as the audio quite clearly highlights more of the discriminatory singing that saw Rangers fined by UEFA in the past. At a time when Rangers are trying to attract new investors it is a problem they could do without. They will be lucky to escape another fine. But until Rangers and UEFA confront the recurring hooliganism and sectarianism head on it will continue to haunt Ibrox for many years to come. The fines Rangers have received in the past have been derisory and ineffective. Jim Templeton, president of the Rangers Assembly, which represents Ibrox fans, has admitted in the past that a hardcore element exists. He said: “Like every big club, Rangers has an element of support that the club would not want to be affiliated with. “These people might call themselves Rangers supporters but they are not. They are nothing short of animals.” Until Rangers are as blunt about the thugs and bigots in their midst there will be more Manchesters and Bucharests. -- Mirror

quote from KDS The Hamburg fans (at least the ones behind the card display and banner) embarassed themselves last night, going to the trouble of making a Union Jack display and the massive "No Surrender" banner. Laughable and pathetic really. As was the German clown wearing the Ranger strips a few seats along from me who was continually trying to wind up the Celtic supporters in his vicinity. He had a grey haired Scottish guy in his late 50s next to him muttering the odd comment when the hoops fans were in full voice...I couldn't see from my seat if he had his hand up his back and was operating the clown with the hun top. Thankfully, we all ignored him and given we were in the Hamburg section, I guess we had no grounds for complaint. P.s The No Surrender banner prior to Kick Off was an absolute disgrace I hope that mob get pumped out at the earliest opertunity. Also heard follow follow being sung at one point. It just goes to show how scummy they actually are :nono: Any team that willing wishes to attach itself to the Huns must be absolutely :cuckoo: SCUMBAGS!! and uefa better take action for incitement by the SV HUNBERGER fans and their no surrender antics!

I have been saying that for ages now, especially with Carling sponsoring the OF & the English league cup I thought they might have tried to suggest it.

I thought MacGregor made two terrific saves in the match, one from a free kick which skidded up to him, and the one from the deflection, over all he had a great game.

Borrowed from another forum: Right just back in from Romania. First off Uefa should be looking into how the fans were treated from getting to the stadium and while in the stadium. Next they should be looking at how a stadium like last night is deemed fit to be a national stadium and to host champions league games. Fook knows what Unireas ground is like if that isnt up to standard. Fans were herded into car parks last night after going through about 5 ticket checks, Marched up a flight of stairs that were flooded and no lighting. Once in the pen stewards were letting fans put flags up and then changing there minds. There was a disturbance outside due to police not letting fans in with official tickets. The incident in the ground was started by stewards punching a fan for trying to get his flag back which they had grabbed. With that some went back at the steward and all hell broke loose and they waded in with pepper spray. There is no way that ground is fit to host a football stadium. Not one toilet in the pen we was in last night or anything. Complete dive of a ground and town.

Rangers have been charged with the improper conduct of their supporters following the disturbances during their Champions League tie in Romania. The Glasgow club's supporters were involved in half-time scuffles at the match against Unirea Urziceni at Ghencea Stadium in Bucharest. Fans were seen on TV destroying seats and challenging match stewards during the 1-1 draw on Wednesday. Uefa's control and disciplinary body will deal with the case next Thursday. European football's governing body had waited on its delegate's report into the Champions League Group G game before deciding whether to launch an investigation into the trouble. Responding to the charge, chief executive Martin Bain said: "We have been informed by Uefa that disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in relation to the throwing of missiles and crowd disturbances. "As already stated, I am not for a moment condoning the action of some supporters to the unfolding of events within the stadium. Obviously the behaviour of some of the fans inside the stadium was unacceptable Rangers chief executive Martin Bain "But, as a club, the preparations which were agreed and insisted upon in advance were not adhered to and this, in turn, we feel jeopardised the safety of our supporters. "We are fully aware of the indiscriminate use of CS gas and the difficulties experienced by our fans accessing the stadium. "All these factors will be presented fully by the club to Uefa in our submission." The trouble in the stands has overshadowed the game itself, Unirea Urziceni's Marius Onofras scoring in the 88th-minute to force a 1-1 draw in the match after Lee McCulloch's shot had put the visitors ahead 11 minutes from time. In a statement the previous evening, Bain, describing the behaviour of some fans as "unacceptable", had been critical of the shortage of entry access for spectators at the stadium, which is the home of Steaua Bucharest. "Rangers came to this stadium with representatives from Uefa and Unirea a number of weeks ago and arranged for the four turnstiles to be open to give access to our supporters," said the chief executive. "When they arrived this evening, there were only two turnstiles open, which caused difficulty gaining access, and for fans then to be sprayed with CS gas is totally unacceptable." MY SPORT: DEBATE "I'm thoroughly disgusted this morning after watching the shameful scenes of crowd trouble in the stadium last night. I despair of this minority of mindless thugs that has infested our support." PaisleyBlueNose A half-time announcement threatened an abandonment of the match and Uefa head of communications Rob Faulkner insisted this was made at the request of the match delegate in a bid to quieten down the atmosphere. "We take any incident like this seriously, but we have to get all the facts," he said of something described by Rangers Supporters Assembly chief Andy Kerr as a "minor incident". "As far as we can establish at the moment, it seems there were a number of Rangers supporters who came late into the stadium and we need to find out why. "Then there was an issue about where they were going to sit as apparently there were banners already placed there, which resulted in the request to remove some banners, which seems to have ended in a clash between stewards and some supporters. "If we need to discuss with people who were there on site, we will do that and obviously we'll take action after that." The game had been moved to Steaua's stadium as Unirea's own ground, 25km away and with a 7,000 capacity, had been deemed unfit to host a Champions League tie. However, problems arose before the match as Rangers fans tried to enter the ground. It is as yet unclear exactly what triggered the clash between a section of the visiting support and stewards at half-time. Seats and punches were thrown by fans and television pictures showed stewards spraying tear gas at close range. At one point, the fans surged forward to recover a supporter who had been grabbed by the Romanian stewards. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8343684.stm

I understand what you're saying,however,Wilson has had two and a half games at CB,his position,Fleck has never had any game time in his position. I thought Fleck looked good when he came on, maybe WS should play Fleck in his position and let us see if he is the player we have been told he is.

Voted for Wilson just because of his age and the way he handled everything that came his way like a seasoned pro

I don't think you'll hear anybody shouting for Alexander if Shagger keeps up that form

Delighted for the lad, thought he was excellent in everything he did and looks like he has been playing in the first team for ages,if he keeps up these type of performances then he has a very bright future ahead of him,and he certainly will attract attention from big clubs.Now Walter, give Fleck a decent run in his natural position and let us see if he can step up to the mark

Nah.........not for me, I think our regular guys do an excellent preview and I couldn't compete, and don't want to

Only joking mate........who am I to say anything ?, I couldn't do it....................however just make sure you do better next time eh !!!

No excuses.....................you're fired................

Boyd will leave Rangers no doubt in my mind, and who could blame him

I know you mean BALLS Craig..................

Frankie even uses this on the golf course for his distances !!!!!!..............oh shit don't tell him I am verging on a ban here

Good, I don't know what happened but I find it very strange that the fans would cause any trouble with the stewards, I would hope/expect a full investigation into this.

These kind of incidents happen every week in football, however because it was Rangers the usual shit will be thrown at Rangers fans..................blah blah blah

I still think we will win

I hope the Gers score a lucky WINNER tonight

Seems more people participate in this than the dull............boring simple prediction thread

Plenty singing tonight then

Yip.......................Rangers fans have taken over Bucharest

sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/8342406.stm Chico never reported this

I don't disagree with the negative fans though, I've already stated it's up to them