Together in grief
Rangers boss joins mourners at funeral of coach crash supporter
Rangers manager Mark Warburton yesterday joined mourners at the funeral of a fan who died in a bus crash on his way to Ibrox.
Northern Irishman Ryan Baird was killed two weeks ago when a supporters’ coach left the road and overturned.
The 39- year- old dad was laid to rest in Magheramorne, County Antrim.
Ryan – who moved from Larne to settle in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire – six years ago, died as he travelled with the Nith Valley Loyal supporters club to see Rangers play Partick Thistle.
The coach overturned on the A7 at the Crossroads roundabout near Mauchline, Ayrshire, on October 1. Another 36 fans were injured.
Warburton was one of 400 mourners who turned out at Magheramorne Presbyterian Church for the service conducted by the Reverend Neil Bingham.
The church was packed to capacity and 200 people, many with Rangers scarves, waited outside in the rain.
Friends from the Orange Order carried his coffin.
Ryan was also a member of Larne Rangers supporters c lub and played in Carnlough flute band, based in Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers’s home town.
Ryan was due to marry his fiancée Sarah Hughes next year. A minute’s silence was observed at Friday’s match between Rangers and Inverness Caley Thistle.
A Rangers spokesman said: “Mark wanted to attend the funeral to pay his respects on behalf of the club. We have been supporting the people involved.”