It's civil war time again at Ibrox but the punters aren’t exactly picking sides.
For the most part, the Rangers faithful would just prefer it if the warring factions packed it in and allowed Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad to concentrate on their duel push for glory at home and abroad in peace.
Club 1872 kicked off the infighting with a stinging statement slamming the decision to proceed with the Derby Down Under as well as thee actions of club chiefs Stewart Robertson, David Graham and James Bisgrove.
The Ibrox top brass then lobbed a few grenades down the marble staircase as they hit back at a “small rump” of “disruptors” causing trouble before vowing vengeance at the end of the season.
But John Davidson, Armadale is already fed up with bickering, saying: “It's time to stop the protests about the Sydney Cup and in-house squabbles about directors and Club 1872.
“The friendly isn’t scheduled until till November so let's get behind the team now. They need our support - not protests!”
Derek Adese added: “All I'm getting from both sets is blah, blah, blah. I’m absolutely fuming with both parties. We’ve had to put up with so-called fans spewing out the rank rotten bile from the terraces over the last few week which is just embarrassing. Let’s just tone it down. We’ve got a league to win.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries , email in: “I read both Rangers’ and Club 1872’s statements and while I do not doubt that Club 1872 have some genuine issues with how the executive board are dealing with them, surely they must come out and state that they do not support or condone the actions of those supporters at Dundee on Sunday, which clearly had and will continue to have a direct affect on the players and management at a very crucial stage if the season if these scenes are repeated.”
But Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus , would prefer it if the fan group kept weesht.
He said: “Why doesn’t Club 1872 let Rangers run the club? They’ve done a half decent job these last few years and all this toilet roll throwing is very embarrassing to everyone and only gives the Celtic supporters ammunition.”
Muir Fulton, Ayr , added: “Let’s get one thing straight here, yes there are loads of issues why this friendly should be stopped and stopped now but the main factor is Celtic shareholders don’t want Rangers ever to play in Europe.
"They call it Resolution 12, so for them to have the cheek to ask us to play on the other side of the world and for Rangers to accept is beyond me.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Just a thought about the Oz trip for the Old Firm. If Rangers are under contract and refuse to go, where does that leave Celtic? Could we be looking at the scenario of the organisers suing Rangers to pay Celtic who are willing to fulfil their obligation. Rangers should cut the middle men out and just pay Celtic direct.”
But Celtic fan Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “Rangers fans should stop complaining about the Sydney Cup.
“If you look at big events like Glastonbury the second or third headline act on the bill never gets the same money as the big boys, however it will go ahead as their directors are still owed millions in directors loans and want paid back.”
Rangers fan Joe Smith, Coleraine, wasn’t having yesterday’s caller Gerry Kelly after he claimed Celtic were being short changed with the offer of 700 tickets for next week’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
He said: “Maybe someone should let the bold Gerry Kelly know we have 45000 season ticket holders. Why should Rangers fans miss out to please Celtic fans. Personally I don't want any Celtic fans near our stadium, the ones in the press box are plenty!”
Celtic supporter Kenny Wilson, Moffat , said: “As Rangers continue to show how much they're feeling the pressure on and off the park, Celtic are on cruise control back in a familiar place they can only throw it away now.
“On a different note I hope the request for a minutes applause in the next derby match for the three young boys from my town killed in a horrific car crash who were rangers supporters is acknowledged by both sets of fans.”
