Rangers: Hibs reaction baffles amid ‘vile’ country-wide problem with ‘idiots’ in the stands
Derek Ferguson admits there is a problem with “horrible” supporter behaviour in the wake of the Rangers vs Hibs cup tie and feels it is the same up and down the country.
After the 2-0 Gers victory at Easter Road the Hibees announced they were cutting away fan allocations in response to “abhorrent” behaviour in the stands, which Ferguson feels is a “strange” reaction when there have also been issues with the Edinburgh club’s own supporters.
He denounced the “idiots” who are behind the problems and spoiling the experience for other fans, and wants to see stronger measures inside stadiums to identify and remove the perpetrators.
Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News: “Listen, it goes on at every ground throughout the country. I think there’s a frustration there.
“There’s been certain songs that were sung, the abuse where it’s been sectarian, there’s bigotry, it’s racist, it’s horrible. Of course we don’t want to see it.
“But I’m afraid with every club up and down the country we’ve got certain idiots, certain barn pots, that attach themselves to a club, and they spoil it for the good fans.
“So it’s a strange stance to take because I think the Hibs fans’ behaviour has come under question recently as well, when you look at the Edinburgh derby and some of the vile stuff that was shouted at [Lawrence] Shankland, and some of the stuff that was thrown on the park.
“There is a problem, of course there is. You just think in this day and age with the technology they’ve got in these grounds, I think they should have plain clothes police officers in there. Identify these guys.
“It’s not going to happen overnight, but through time you hopefully can eradicate this, because they’re wasting it for everybody else.”
Rangers not alone in supporter behaviour issues after Easter Road controversy
It’s easy to say but there is no place for the sort of abuse that is unfortunately all too common in football grounds around the country, and when that leads to physical danger it is all the worse.
Some of the behaviour from fans at Easter Road can’t be excused but the partisan nature of a response that see individual clubs appearing to point fingers at others seems to only entrench divides and make the problem worse.
It is easier said than done but a unified approach to all such behaviour feels like the only way to make a real dent in the situation.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has been left stunned by a “slap in the face” to a huge Gers star.
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