Rangers take action on fan autographs and photos

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has revealed plans are in place to stage-manage opportunities where fans can request autographs and photographs from players.

The change in procedure follows two high-profile incidents outside Ibrox involving Jack Butland and Borna Barisic, who were abused by fans following last weekend’s 4-1 win over Kilmarnock.

Butland was seen responding angrily to something a supporter had said. Barisic, meanwhile, was filmed reacting to a separatecommentfromanother fan. The Rangers goalkeeper was quick to draw a line under the flashpoint yesterday. He said things were said that were “unacceptable, especially in front of children”, but “it has been put to bed”.

Clement now wants a more structured system introduced. Hundreds of supporters patiently wait for Rangers players before and after games but the manager stressed that things will be different next season. He regretted having to implement the changes given Rangers’ admirably relaxed approach in comparison with other clubs, including Celtic. The Belgian claimed that the increase in supporters wanting access to players was because of the recent improvement in the team’s fortunes.

“At a lot of clubs in the world or here in this city or here in this league they do not give out autographs or pictures, not before the game or after the game,” he said. “You all know this. We do. Before the game, after the game. And that is maybe the other side of having a team that is doing better and better. There are more