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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Barry Ferguson insists Rangers row has gone too far as he calls on Ibrox factions to 'sort this out'

Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has told splintering factions at the club to sort out their differences before it affects the team's title push.

Furore over the proposed friendly in Australia with Celtic reached critical mass in the last three days when the club's Premiership clash at Dundee was interrupted three times by toilet roll and tennis balls thrown from the stands.

That was followed up on Tuesday by a back and fourth between fans' group Club 1872 and Ibrox, with the 4.62 per cent shareholders accusing club figures of showing contempt for fans.

Rangers fired back with a statement in reference to a "small rump of 'supporters'" and vowed to end the "propaganda war".

Record Sport columnist Ferguson can't believe it has come to this and speaking on Go Radio he called on those who have differing views on the friendly to sort it out face-to-face - and let Gio van Bronckhorst and his side get on with business in the league.

He said: "You don't like to see it, especially when things on the football field are going really well for Rangers.

"They're still in Europe, they're still in a title chase and the Scottish Cup with a semi-final coming up.

"It's not healthy and I hope in the next week or two they can get round the table and settle their differences.

"We all saw what happened at Dens Park, the hold up of three or four minutes. I don't think it affected the players in terms of their focus but it's more annoying, I've been involved in it myself.

"I get where the club are coming from and I also get the fans' side. They're really important to the club.

"I just hope, short-term, they can sit around the table and sort this out."

Former Ibrox chairman Dave King indicated on Wednesday morning he'd be prepared to fund whatever fees are required to back out of the friendly, with his relationship with current chair Douglas Park believed to have broken down.

Ferguson added: "I've said what I think of Douglas Park, what he's done as chairman is put his hand in his pocket.

"He backed Steven Gerrard, delivered a title last year, and will continue to back Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

"But on the flipside of that, look what Dave King did for the club. He saved the club.

"So I just don't like seeing it because on the football front things are going really well – you just don't want that to be affected."

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