Ally McCoist makes stance clear as Rangers legend performs U-turn following hate bill comments

Ally McCoist makes stance clear as Rangers legend performs U-turn following hate bill comments

WATCH NOW: Bev Turner slams new Scottish hate crime law

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 03/04/2024

- 12:59

The 61-year-old has now claimed he won't be attending the Old Firm derby on Sunday

Ally McCoist has made it clear he doesn't care about being criticised for his comments on Scotland's new hate crime law, while also revealing he now won't be attending the Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic this weekend.

Scotland's new law has caused controversy, with the Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021 - which has now been enforced - creating a new crime of 'stirring up hatred' relating to things such as age, gender, disability and religion.


Speaking on talkSPORT on Tuesday, McCoist said the new law was 'madness'.

And he also vowed to breach it this weekend, too, saying: "We've got a hate bill by the way, a hate bill has been passed in the country.

Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist has insisted he isn't fazed after the Rangers legend criticised Scotland's new hate crime law

GETTY

"And I can guarantee you, next Sunday at Ibrox, I along with 48,000 will be committing a breach of that hate bill in the particular Rangers vs Celtic game we are all going to.

"It is madness."

Now, however, McCoist has revealed he won't be attending the fixture.

"No, I'm away with the kids for a couple of days," he told fellow talkSPORT host Alan Brazil.

"People are accusing me of doing this or doing that. But there's been a change of plans, I'm going away for a few days.

"But a few of my older boys will be there, I'll be watching it, and I'm sure I'll get a text or two from you."

Brazil then opted to tease McCoist, saying: "I see you have made some of the front pages."

Yet the Rangers legend made it clear he wasn't bothered despite 'upsetting a few people'.

"I'm over it. I seem to have upset a few people," he said.

When quizzed on where he was going with his children, he added: "I'm away. I don't know yet."

McCoist had spells with St Johnstone and Sunderland before joining Rangers in 1983.

He would play 581 games for the club, netting 355 goals in the process.

McCoist won 10 Scottish Premier Division titles during that glittering stint, as well as nine Scottish League Cups.

McCoist also managed Rangers, too, with the 61-year-old taking over in 2011.

He won over 72 per cent of his games, guiding the club to success in the Third Division and League One.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Scottish hate crime law

The new Scottish hate crime law has sparked protests in the country

GETTY

The new hate crime law in Scotland, meanwhile, has sparked a fierce backlash, with Harry Potter author JK Rowling one strong critic.

Rowling previously challenged the police to arrest her if they believe she's committed an offence after she described several transgender women as men.

Police have since said her posts on social media aren't criminal.

Ally McCoist

Ally McCoist played for and managed Rangers

GETTY

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We have received complaints in relation to the social media post.

"The comments are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken."

You may like