Rangers’ robust rebuttal to racists sends a message
Robertson statement the first step on right track as BLM protests stay in the spotlight
RANGERS sent out a clear message when they posted a strongly-worded statement on their official website yesterday in response to the unsavoury abuse which two of their first-team players had been subjected to last week.
“If you are unable to support our players regardless of their background you are not welcome at Ibrox,” said manager director Stewart Robertson.
The threat to ban anyone found to be guilty of racism, which came after both Alfredo Morelos and Connor Goldson had vile comments directed towards them online, isn’t an empty one.
The moron who made monkey gestures at Celtic winger Scott Sinclair during an Old Firm game at Ibrox back in 2017 was swiftly apprehended and ordered to stay away from matches indefinitely.
So those responsible for these latest sickening slurs – and the internet trolls who targeted Morelos on Friday evening are currently being investigated by Police Scotland – can rest assured they will be severely dealt with if they are identified in the coming days.
Rangers are to be applauded for both publicly and swiftly condemning the treatment of their striker and centre-half – including by a section, albeit a tiny one, of their own fanbase – and their players will certainly welcome their reaction.
Jermain Defoe, the former England internationalist, was scathing in his condemnation of those who had abused his fellow forward Morelos.
“It’s not nice and you are angry,” he said. “I don’t think it affected him. But you shouldn’t have to deal with that. You would rather someone call you a name than judge you on the colour of your skin. It’s quite sad, really.”
Goldson revealed that he and his team-mates had been “hurt” by the negative reaction to them “taking the knee” in a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter anti-racism movement before their matches against Lyon and Nice in France.
“Get out of our club,” was one of the remarks aimed at the centre-half after he put a picture of himself in the Groupama Stadium up on Instagram.
There is significant opposition to Black Lives Matter – including among many of those who cheer on Steven Gerrard’s side on a Saturday – across the United Kingdom after protests this summer descended into scenes of unrest.
However, the actions of Gerrard’s charges – and footballers across the planet since the shocking death of
George Floyd in the United States back in May – are more of a condemnation of racism than an endorsement of all of the actions, aims and views of an organisation.
As Robertson added: “We stand firmly behind our players who have taken a knee prior to recent games. This is a strong stance against racism. We will work tirelessly to protect our players every single day and will not tolerate the abuse or hatred that some have had to endure in recent days.”
Defoe is hopeful that taking the knee will have a positive and long-term impact – not just in the game of football but in society in general around the globe.
“It’s a powerful message,” he said. “Everyone else has been doing it, which is really good, as we have this platform as footballers. The game is so important all over the world and everyone is watching.
“But with these powerful messages, taking one knee and everyone doing it, if we continue to do it, hopefully at some point Alfredo won’t be getting this abuse.”
FOR someone like Goldson, who has been an ever-present in the Rangers defence when fit and available since moving to Scotland from Brighton two years ago, to be targeted by one of the Ibrox club’s own fans just underlines the mentality and stupidity of those who indulge in such behaviour.
Having said that, there is no guarantee that he or she actually is a bona fide blue nose. This is, after all, social media. Fake accounts abound. It is a cesspit.
It could just as easily have been a supporter of another side seeking to generate bad publicity for and tarnish the reputation of a rival team not to mention unsettle a prominent player. It wouldn’t be out of keeping with the nature of Scottish football if it was.
The Govan club got their 2020/21 campaign off to a hugely positive start with victory in the Veolia Trophy – but their 2-0 friendly wins over their Ligue 1 opponents have been somewhat overshadowed by other events.
There have been calls for Rangers to monitor message boards and police the internet more closely to prevent these kind of unwelcome incidents in future in recent days. But that is an almost impossible task. It is hard to be proactive in such an environment.
It is unfortunate this controversy has arisen as Everyone Anyone, the campaign that aims to unite people from all backgrounds, cultures and communities and promote Rangers as a modern club, prepares to mark its first anniversary on Wednesday.
Still, the statement from Rangers is a timely reminder that they won’t tolerate any abuse of their players or any act that reflects badly on them.
Hopefully, it will act as a deterrent and prevent any repeat going forward.
The threat to ban those guilty of racism isn’t an empty one
NEW Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek has warned Robby McCrorie that he will not settle for a place on the bench.
The 24-year-old signed a three-year deal at the Tony Macaroni Arena yesterday and insists he is relishing the challenge of going up against Rangers loanee McCrorie for the No.1 jersey.
Stryjek featured 43 times for Eastleigh last season after leaving Sunderland, whom he joined in 2013, for the National League outfit.
The one-time Poland Under-19 international accepts McCrorie is in the driving seat after the 22-year-old impressed in making eight appearances on loan at the tail end of last term.
But Stryjek, who has also been farmed out to Boston and Accrington previously, has vowed to keep the Scotland Under-21 cap on his toes.
He said: “I want to play as many games as I can and be the number one goalkeeper. I know it might take some time.
“It’s going go to be a bit of a challenge but I like challenges and I’m ready ambitious person.
“I know Robby is here on loan from Rangers and it’s going to be a really good battle between us because we can help each other to build up strength and be the best at what we do.
“We are both ambitious players and we both want to play. I know Robby is in a better position at this moment but I want to play as much as he does.
“It’s important to keep a positive attitude around the place and keep pushing each other.”