Rangers: Celtic supporters behaviour at Old Firm was reprehensible – journalist
Scotsman journalist Andrew Smith has slammed Celtic fans for their “reprehensible” actions during the minute’s silence Rangers took for the victims of the 1971 Ibrox disaster.
An exciting four-goal Old Firm derby was marred with controversy on the pitch, as a small section of Celtic supporters booed the minute’s silence as the remainder of Ibrox fell silent.
The pre-match scheduled silence was to commemorate the Ibrox disaster, as well as the deaths of Celtic icon Frank McGarvey and Brazil legend Pele.
Scotsman journalist Smith was left seething at the lack of respect by an albeit small section of the Hoops’ support.
He wrote: “It can be hard not to question your life choices when pitched into the “special” atmosphere created by Scottish football’s titans facing off in Ibrox at new year. A stew of sorriness ensues from these circumstances.
“The fact that a small section of Celtic’s 750 supporters – it seemed in the region of a couple of dozen – could not remain silent for the minute’s silence to the 66 victims of the 1971 Ibrox disaster was reprehensible.”
Disrespectful
Rangers fans were right to express their anger towards the group of travelling fans who interrupted the gesture. It was distasteful and quite remarkable to see happening.
Although the Gers and Celtic hold a fierce long-standing rivalry, it has obviously spilt over the top here and was not a good look for Scottish football during possibly the biggest game of the season.
On the pitch, Michael Beale will be pleased by what he saw from his team on the whole, as they dominated large chunks of the second half against the league leaders. Despite their dominance, the two sloppy goals the Gers gave away will anger the English manager, and you can’t help but feel that Rangers let a big chance slip through their hands.
With the gap still at nine points, Rangers will need a miraculous dropoff in form from Celtic to stand a chance of mounting a title charge in the latter stages of the season.
In other Rangers news, the Gers are looking to pounce for an in-form man in January as contract talks break down.