Rangers condemn 'unacceptable' banner depicting Graeme Souness with shotgun against Celtic

Paul Coyte discusses the latest sport headlines

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 05/05/2025

- 16:54

Updated: 05/05/2025

- 17:39

A banner of Graeme Souness pointing a shotgun with the caption "Take aim against the rebel scum" went viral over the weekend

Rangers has condemned an "unacceptable" banner displayed by fans during Sunday's Old Firm derby against Celtic at Ibrox Stadium.

The controversial tifo showed former manager Graeme Souness holding a shotgun with the message "Take aim against the rebel scum".


The Glasgow club also denounced the actions of a supporter who threw a glass bottle onto the pitch during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The banner was unfurled in the Copland Stand before kick-off as the players emerged from the Ibrox tunnel.

Rangers

Rangers have condemned a fans' banner which read: "Take aim at the rebel scum"

Reuters

The image depicted in the tifo was based on a real photograph of Souness taken in 1982 ahead of Scotland's World Cup match against New Zealand in Spain.

The display was held up by a large section of the crowd, creating an immediate controversy during the high-profile derby match.

The bottle incident occurred near Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match.

Rangers substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who had been warming up nearby, entered the pitch to remove the glass bottle.

The club has taken a firm stance against this behaviour, stating they have "already taken steps to identify the person responsible".

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Rangers vowed to "take the strongest possible action" once the culprit's identity is confirmed.

In an official statement, a Rangers spokesman acknowledged that "the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable".

The club added: "Our approach to supporter displays has always been built on trust, with the responsibility placed on groups to exercise good judgement."

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Rangers bottles

Bottles were thrown onto the pitch during the Old Firm derby

Reuters

Rangers pledged to "reflect on how these displays are managed" and engage with supporter groups to ensure "the right balance of trust, responsibility and oversight is maintained moving forward".

Police Scotland confirmed to BBC Scotland that they are "aware of the banner and enquiries are ongoing".

Any potential charges brought against Rangers by the Scottish Professional Football League could depend on whether the incidents are included in the match delegate's report.

This is not the first time Rangers have faced controversy over fan displays. In March, UEFA fined the club €30,000 and issued a suspended partial stadium closure over a banner deemed "racist and/or discriminatory".

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Celtic fans

Celtic fans held up their own flags, including the Palestine flag

Reuters

Sunday's match was the first time Celtic fans have been able to attend an Old Firm derby at Ibrox since January 2023, following an agreement to resolve a dispute over ticket allocations.

The fixture ended in a 1-1 draw, with Celtic coming from behind to deny Rangers a third straight victory over their rivals.

Cyriel Dessers had netted just before half-time for Rangers, before Adam Idah's second-half strike secured the equaliser for Celtic.