Rangers have released a statement four days on from the disorder that erupted at Ibrox after the penalty shoot-out defeat to Celtic.
It was another painful moment and missed opportunity for Danny Rohl’s team, but worse was to follow given what happened in the minutes after.
Thankfully, a full-scale riot was avoided.
Many Celtic fans spilled onto the pitch after the winning penalty and while there was obviously a sense of jubilation and celebration, it is naive to suggest that is all it was.
The goading from the Celtic fans towards Rangers supporters in the nearby West Enclosure and Govan Stand, as well as the activity around the goalposts at the Broomloan end, inevitably received a response from Rangers fans.
However, some of the incidents that followed were unacceptable and the club has backed calls for a full probe.
Most importantly, the statement was scathing of the “cowardly” and “shameful” desecration of the memory of the victims of the Ibrox Disaster.
With significant sections of the Broomloan Stand vandalised by Celtic supporters, including appalling graffiti mocking the deaths of the 66, the club has rightly defended their memory, even if it possibly could have been done sooner.
The cautious approach from Rangers FC in the aftermath of Sunday is likely to have been guided by legal counsel, but the first public response has now been revealed.
Club Statement | Rangers Support Independent Review
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 12, 2026
Fully independent review
“Following the events of Sunday’s Scottish Cup fixture at Ibrox, we have spent the past few days in discussions with our staff, supporter groups and the relevant authorities, and we will continue to work closely with Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council, the Scottish FA and the Safety Advisory Group in the weeks ahead, read the statement.
“The disorder that occurred on Sunday was unacceptable and we condemn it unequivocally. Safety must always come first in football, for supporters, players and everyone working in and around the game. We also want to recognise the efforts of the many staff, stewards and emergency services who operated in extremely difficult circumstances on the day.
“There are now a number of serious issues which require proper examination.
“For that reason, we agree that there should be a fully independent review into the events surrounding the match. That review must be thorough and wide-ranging, examining the decisions and actions of all relevant parties. Its scope must include the broader context around this fixture, from the initial decisions on ticket allocations through to the sequence of incidents that followed the match.
“All parties must be prepared to have their actions and decision-making subjected to proper scrutiny.
Represent the club and our supporters robustly
The club went on to detail that there will be consequences for the actions that were carried out on the pitch on Sunday.
“Where individuals are identified and convicted of offences connected to the match, the club will take action and impose appropriate sanctions, including the potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges and stadium bans.
“We will approach all regulatory engagement responsibly and cooperate fully with the authorities as the facts are established. At the same time, we will represent the club and our supporters robustly.
“We recognise that many fans want the club to say more at this stage, and supporters should be assured that we are across the detail of the issues being discussed and the questions being raised.
“However, it is important that we respect any ongoing investigative or judicial processes and do nothing that could prejudice them. There will be an appropriate time to address those matters fully.
Deeply personal to this club
The next section of the statement was of paramount importance, going beyond Sunday’s events and into the resonance of the memory of the Ibrox Disaster victims.
“What we can say now is that issues of stadium safety and the legacy of the Ibrox Disaster are deeply personal to this club.
“We were appalled to discover graffiti within the stadium referencing that tragedy. The memory of the 66 supporters who lost their lives in January 1971 deserves dignity and respect.
“To desecrate their memory is vile. It is cowardly. It is shameful. This is not football rivalry and it is not banter. It is the abuse of a tragedy that claimed 66 lives.
“Finally, it is important that the reputation of Rangers supporters is treated fairly in this discussion. Tens of thousands of people attended Ibrox on Sunday simply to support their team with pride and to watch a football match. We will not accept a narrative that ignores the full context of what happened.
“For now it would not be appropriate to comment further.”
We haven’t hear the last on this, far from it.
