Why Rangers must act right now as ex-FIFA official warns yet another sanction incoming

Rangers can expect to face yet more sanctions over a banner unfurled by supporters, Ibrox News has been told.

The Gers are no strangers to being hit with various punishments due to the behaviour of supporters.

Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett believes only one outcome is possible after a section of Rangers fans sent a message to the Scottish Football Association on Wednesday.

As covered by Ibrox News, the Union Bears unfurled a banner taking aim at the SFA.

The banner read "No surrender, Broxi. [Expletive] the SFA", in reference to club mascot Broxi being namechecked in this week's review of the disorder at March's Old Firm clash.

The SFA has yet to comment on the banner, but Rangers have been told of the most likely outcome already.

SFA to reconvene as Rangers fans in the spotlight again

Rangers and Celtic were quick to respond to the SFA's report this week as the fallout from the full-time scuffles from March's fixture rumble on.

The Gers accepted various parts of the report but also pointed out parts they were unhappy with.

Rangers were beaten on penalties in the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie, for which Celtic were given a large allocation of 8,000-plus tickets.

It was noted in the lengthy review that Broxi was observed "provoking the away support and personally warned by the Safety Officer".

The Union Bears' latest banner, unfurled ahead of Wednesday's 2-1 friendly win over Saint-Etienne, made specific reference to that.

Asked what the SFA will make of the message, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett exclusively told Ibrox News: "The disciplinary department of the SFA will be convening yet again to deal with fan indiscipline.

"Rangers can expect to receive a sanction that will take into account previous cases.

"Rangers, to avoid further sanction, must increase their security arrangements to avoid the spiral of indiscipline."

The opinion of Hackett is that Rangers need to increase security at Ibrox if this is to be avoided.

Rangers have bigger battle with SFA right now

While the Old Firm fallout continues, plus this latest inconvenience, the Gers are also appealing Derek McInnes' ban with the SFA.

McInnes has been handed a four-game ban to begin his Rangers tenure as a result of comments made while still Hearts boss

He was issued with a notice of complaint for allegedly breaking rule 72 of the SFA's guidelines after branding a Celtic penalty decision "disgusting".

McInnes has since hit out at the length of that ban, while Rangers are now appealing the sanction.

It all adds to the drama before a ball has even been kicked in this season's Scottish Premiership.