Exclusive: 49ers set to respond to Union Bears after Rangers controversy
Rangers fan group the Union Bears made their feeling clears towards the Ibrox club at various points last season.
Matters come to a head at the end of the campaign when Rangers hit out at the Union Bears for “crossing the line” with a tifo on display against Celtic.
The tifo in question read “take aim against the rebel scum”, along with iconic figure Graeme Souness holding a shotgun.
However, the Union Bears made clear where they stand as they unveiled a new banner against Aberdeen that read: “Jumped the gun and lost the fans. No apology – no surrender.”
Derek Ferguson hopes 49ers can bridge Union Bears gap
It is clear that tensions are growing between the fan group and Rangers, and former Ibrox figure Derek Ferguson hopes to see that rectified when the new owners are on board.
Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises chief Paraag Marathe have both been in attendance at Ibrox recently, and Ferguson believes they will want to address the issue head on.
“The Union Bears have had some previous with the club, and there’s a wee bit of [tension],” Ferguson exclusively told Ibrox News.
“I just think it’s so important that there’s a relationship between the fan groups and the club. It’s so important for these new guys.
“They’re clever and would have done their homework. They know how important this relationship is. What the [Union Bears] bring to Ibrox, the atmosphere and everything, we need them big time.
“So the new owners will look to sort that. And they’re already involved at Ibrox and will know what does and doesn’t work.”
Union Bears and Rangers can work together in unison
As Ferguson says, the Union Bears enhance the matchday experience at Ibrox with the various tifos and displays.
| Scottish Premership table (Top two) | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1 Celtic | 36 | 86 | 92 |
| 2 Rangers | 36 | 39 | 75 |
There is a debate to be had as to whether particular displays cross the line, but there is no reason why the fan group and Rangers cannot work alongside each other moving forward.
Cavenagh and Marathe will know the importance of doing so once the Ibrox takeover is finalised, and helping to bridge that gap will be one of their first priorities.