Pundit fumes after ‘disgraceful’ actions from Hibernian fans after Rangers clash
Tam McManus claims that Hibernian fans who mocked the 1971 Ibrox disaster when they faced Rangers should be banned from all Scottish football stadiums after their “disgraceful” behaviour.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s Football Show (24 October), McManus suggested the “premeditated” actions of certain Hibs fans who left disrespectful graffiti and stickers in the away end of Ibrox.
McManus called for a ban for all involved and expressed his hope that those guilty will be caught.
McManus said: “Listen, the worst thing for me is that it’s premeditated. There was stickers getting stuck on people’s cars as well, there was a young boy holding a phone taunting people who died.
“It was disgraceful. I hope Hibs catch who it is. I hope they find out who it is and ban them from every football ground in Scotland because there’s no time for that in football.”
Spot on
McManus is spot on with his assessment of the horrific incident at Ibrox on Saturday (21 October). Opposition fans can often exploit disasters for cheap digs, but such behaviour has no place in football.
Fortunately, as reported by BBC Sport (24 October), one Hibs fan has been banned for life for their involvement in the vandalism which could well be a deterrent, but such actions rear their ugly heads many times across the football season.
Hibs are working closely with Rangers to catch “further individuals” guilty so hopefully more so-called fans are brought to justice and face the penalties they deserve.
While Rangers got the win on the day, mocking such a dark and tragic part of the club’s history certainly spoiled the day, but hopefully more action will be taken.
In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement should be putting pressure on the board to sign Abdallah Sima permanently.