THE BIG INTERVIEW
Former Rangers striker Rod Wallace insists our game
It’s 20 years since Rod Wallace was strutting his stuff for Rangers.
He never encountered much in the way of racial abuse towards him during his three seasons in this country, bookmarked by the goal in an Old Firm Scottish Cup Final which secured the Treble for Dick Advocaat’s side.
But the diminutive former striker, now 50, insists that Scottish football has to do its bit for the Black Lives Matter campaign when the Premiership resumes on August 1.
Wallace believes it’s only right that the SPFL and SFA encourage everybody to bring more equality and opportunities for black people in football.
He told The Sunday Post: “What happened to George Floyd in Minnesota last month was shocking and disgraceful.
“It has led to open conversations around the world about the challenges and lack of fairness many black people face in all walks of life.
“That has been a major positive to come out of such a tragedy.
“But it shouldn’t have required his death for people to sit up, take notice and look to improve things.
“English football has been very vocal and supportive of looking at how things have been conducted up till now, and the need for many, many changes.
A starting point would be taking a knee. That would send out a powerful message
“The words and the intentions are very encouraging – but they need to be put into action, and new rules and guidelines set in stone.
“Scottish football hasn’t had the opportunity to do things in public because the restrictions around football are still in place, and the games are not scheduled to start for another five weeks.
“But I sincerely hope that they take the lead from what has been going on in England, and do the right thing.
“A starting point would be taking a knee in support of BLM. That would send out another powerful and meaningful message from Scotland, to go alongside what we’ve seen in other countries.
“Beyond that, the authorities at all levels need to address things and find ways of making improvements. “When I played in Scotland for three years, I only had a couple of instances of racial abuse. “There were one or two shouts at one or two of the stadiums – but there was nothing I would describe as really upsetting to me.
“That said, I accept that any form of racial abuse is unacceptable, and no black players should be subjected to it.
“If just one word is out of place, then it’s totally out of order.
“But, back then, you just tried to shut off your mind and ears to it all and concentrate on the football. “It’s different now, however, because people seem to be serious about making changes.
“I also have to say that during my time in Scotland, whenever I was
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