One of the funnier aspects of being a Celtic fan, is watching Rangers fans turn on each other, as the blame game starts after yet another defeat. However, as this week shows, even when they win, they’re still raging: at us, at the authorities and most of all, at each other.
Union Bears Reject Board’s “Woke” Stance
In an angry statement (let’s be honest, do they ever have any other kind?) released yesterday, the Union Bears Rangers fan group claimed that the club shunned them when they tried to enter dialogue.
The statement read: "Despite repeated attempts to liaise with Rangers, it has been made clear that they have no desire to engage with their supporters in any meaningful way.”
The Board Has a Different View
I’m not quite sure Rangers board sees it that way.
Is it possible they just don’t want to engage with some supporters?
Perhaps those same supporters that, according to the club’s latest official statement, are “not welcome at Ibrox”?
Always the Victim
The next part of the statement from the Union Bears will surprise no one with even a passing knowledge of their antics.
As usual with these Neanderthalic neo-fascist clowns, its always the fault of anyone but themselves.
The statement continued: "The club's silence speaks volumes - they appear solely interested in demonizing supporters rather than standing in their defence.”
You Can’t Defend the Indefensible
It’s interesting that the Union Bears chose to see, what I thought were quite reasonable demands from the Rangers board, as “demonization”.
To summarize, Rangers statement, in response to yet another fine from UEFA for discriminatory and racist behavior from their fans, was to condemn such acts.
Here’s an excerpt: "For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.".
Seems to me that the only people being demonized by such a statement would be bigots, racists and extremists. Anyway, I’m sure that’s just coincidental, and nothing at all to do with the Union Bears or their ideological outlook.
From Both Sides, It’s Largely Performative
For the avoidance of doubt, the points raised in the Union Bears Statement specific to Police Scotland and Section 60 powers may have some merit.
If they indeed were treated with anything like the same distain the Green Brigade were shown by police last Sunday, then they have every right to take the appropriate legal steps.
As I said on Tuesday’s ACSOM Bulletin, even fascists have the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
However, I doubt any legal action will follow.
I also doubt the Rangers board will actually enforce any kind of ban or widespread action to eliminate the bile and bigotry that spews forth from these so-called fans at every home game.
All a Show to Keep Potential Investors Onside
Weeks ago, in a previous blog, I made the point that right-wing extremist groups like the Union Bears were totally toxic to Rangers as a marketable business.
Now, finally, the mainstream media is beginning to talk about the massive, bloated, orange elephant in the room.
Remember that, if rumors are to be believed, and I personally still have my doubts, any potential investors in Rangers are currently in the midst of their due diligence. Due diligence isn’t just about the value of a company, its assets and its liabilities.
Commercially Catastrophic
Commercial viability is also a crucial factor. The reputational damage done to Rangers as a brand over the course of those two games last week cannot be overstated.
We, the Celtic support, already knew what they were all about. If their would-be investors from San Francisco didn’t know, then now they do, and that could be the final, lethal blow to any chance of a takeover going ahead.
So, thank you once again to the Union Bears. Your ignorance, your hatred, but most of all your stupidity continues to hurt your club both on and off the park.