Rangers fans scolded by English after what happened at Ibrox

Tom English has ripped into a section of the Rangers fanbase over the protest held during the 3-1 win over St Johnstone.

The Union Bears group staged a protest in the 55th-minute of the clash on Sunday (12 January) following the recent public backing of Philippe Clement.

Kris Boyd defended the supporters’ rights to do so, but BBC chief Scotland football writer English did not see the point.

“Banners and ‘Sack the Board’ did the job well enough,” he posted on his personal X account [12 January].

“Walking out is performative nonsense from another band of self-important young fellas who seemingly love the attention.”

Rangers fans walk out of Ibrox in protest

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, which is no different for English. And in many ways, his comments will actually be welcomed by some of the Gers’ fanbase.

Indeed, when the section of supporters behind the goal headed for the exits during the second half of the St Johnstone win, a large number of those inside the ground loudly jeered them.

It has done nothing but cause further disconnect between supporters, with the Gers badly struggling domestically right now, even accounting for this much-needed win.

As Boyd implied in his comments, the only way that divide will close is by Rangers winning matches consistently.

And quite frankly, there has not been near enough of that in recent weeks and months. With Aberdeen at home in midweek, three points are a must.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement
Credit: Imago

More protests may well follow, but let’s just hope what we are witnessing in the stands right now is the nadir and the relationship between all fans heals before long.

The only way Rangers are going to get back to winning titles is by everyone fighting the same battle, whether that is on the pitch or off it.

In other Rangers news, a player faces possible SFA action amid “disgraceful” scenes at Ibrox.

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