The beginning of Old Firm week has been eventful from a Rangers perspective, and we’re only halfway through.
First, there was an incident involving Borna Barisic in a minor altercation with a supporter outside Ibrox. Then, Rangers star Jack Butland received criticism from a fan for not stopping for an autograph.
These incidents highlight the entitled behavior of some supporters, perhaps fueled by Philippe Clement’s emphasis on ‘synergy’.
Let’s be clear: Rangers players are going out of their way to interact with fans, and anyone resorting to abuse needs to reconsider their actions.
Those involved should feel ashamed, and if any of them are reading this, it’s safe to say we’re embarrassed for them.
However, it’s not just fan confrontations causing a stir on social media ahead of the pivotal Scottish Premiership fixture.
Leading Rangers fan media, Four Lads Had a Dream, had to address and refute some toxic rumors circulating about Alex Rae and Fabio Silva on social media platform X.
Claims of a dispute between Rae and Silva dismissed as ‘complete fantasy’
In response to a now-deleted Tweet alleging a confrontation between Alex Rae and Fabio Silva, Rangers insiders Four Lads have vehemently denied the rumors, labeling them as ‘utter fantasy’.
Four Lads have emphasized that there are no issues within the squad, underscoring that everyone is fully focused on the upcoming Old Firm clash on Saturday.
They have also criticized the indulgence in such baseless rumors, pointing out that it only benefits one side of Glasgow.
“Just to clarify, the reports about Rae are entirely fictional, absolute nonsense,” Four Lads stated on X.
They further explained that Jack Butland had family commitments and then the PFA awards, being instructed to proceed directly, though he always stops when possible.
Regarding Barisic’s incident, they attributed his reaction to personal abuse directed at him by the fan, placing the blame on the fan’s behavior rather than the player’s.
They asserted that there are no issues in the dressing room.
Additionally, the prominent Rangers media account criticized entitled supporters and hinted at forthcoming changes in how players interact with fans.
“Clement wants the players to engage with supporters and be unified,” Four Lads elaborated on X. “The players embrace this, which is why it happens, as with end-of-game interactions. However, the consequence now will be increased security for the players, and they may not stop for as long, resulting in fans missing out.”
Rangers fans cautioned on player interactions
This statement from Four Lads Had a Dream holds significant weight due to their close connections within Rangers, and it’s encouraging to see them speak definitively on this matter.
The recent behavior of some fans towards players has been described as entitled and disheartening.
As for the rumors, when there’s controversy surrounding Rangers, it’s not difficult to discern its source.
The Rangers squad needs to maintain focus on what could be the most crucial Old Firm derby of their careers, and this ongoing chatter serves as an unwelcome distraction that will likely impact the buildup.
Manager Philippe Clement will undoubtedly face questions about these incidents leading up to the game, serving as a cautionary reminder to supporters.
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