SFA urged to contact Rangers after former official condemns Celtic clash scenes

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has urged the Scottish Football Association to contact Rangers after a controversial supporters’ display appeared before Sunday’s 3-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Celtic at Ibrox.

The tifo, unveiled before kick-off, has drawn criticism over the image it presented. Hackett believes the display was inappropriate, particularly at a time when relations between Rangers and Scottish football authorities remain tense.

The controversy emerged after Rangers delivered an emphatic performance on the pitch. Derek McInnes’ side dominated their Old Firm rivals to reach the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

Dan Neil was the standout performer, scoring twice, while Kevin Kelsy also got on the scoresheet. Rangers will now face one of Hearts, Hibernian or Aberdeen in the semi-final at Hampden Park.

McInnes’ tactical plan worked effectively as Rangers controlled the match and left Celtic struggling to find a response. However, the events before the game have created another talking point away from the result.

Rangers supporters’ tifo attracts criticism

With Celtic fans not permitted to attend the fixture, Rangers had the backing of a full home crowd.

Away supporters have been excluded from Old Firm matches this season following repeated crowd-behaviour issues during previous meetings between the clubs.

Rangers have also been warned that they could be forced to play a Scottish Cup home match behind closed doors if they are drawn at home in the competition.

Against that backdrop, Hackett believes the latest tifo could lead to further contact between Rangers and the SFA.

The display, positioned in the Copland Road stand, referenced a well-known confrontation between former Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson and Celtic player Mike Galloway.

It showed Ferguson holding Galloway by his shirt during the incident. Galloway, who passed away earlier this year, was depicted in the provocative image.

Hackett believes the scene was unnecessarily aggressive and should not have been celebrated through a supporters’ display, especially given the existing tensions surrounding Rangers and the football authorities.

Keith Hackett calls the display “completely unacceptable”

Hackett, who previously refereed in the Premier League and served as general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, believes the SFA should address the issue directly with Rangers.

He argued that the club should be advised that such imagery is inappropriate and should not be repeated.

Speaking to Ibrox News, Hackett strongly criticised the display.

“It is completely unacceptable and the Scottish Football Association should contact Rangers to advise them that it is unsuitable,” he said.

He added that the SFA should issue more than a general expression of disapproval, insisting that the club should receive a clear warning.

“With that contact they should give a clear warning that it must not be used again,” Hackett said.

His comments come amid a history of controversy surrounding Rangers-related tifos and supporter displays.

While the latest image may not be viewed as seriously as some previous examples, it has nevertheless renewed questions about the type of material displayed at matches.

Rangers’ previous tifo controversy

Last year, police investigated a Rangers tifo that featured former manager Graeme Souness holding what appeared to be a shotgun. The display also carried the phrase “Take aim against the rebel scum.”

Rangers condemned the display and distanced themselves from both its imagery and message.

Although the incident attracted significant criticism, police later concluded that no criminal offence had been committed. The SFA also chose not to take action.

That background has contributed to Hackett’s belief that the governing body should use the latest incident to clarify its expectations and make clear that similar displays should not be repeated.

UEFA has previously sanctioned Rangers over a banner

Rangers have also faced disciplinary consequences from UEFA over a separate supporters’ banner.

In March of the previous year, European football’s governing body fined the club after fans displayed a discriminatory message during a match.

The banner stated: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”

Unlike the earlier Graeme Souness-themed tifo, the UEFA incident led directly to a financial penalty for Rangers.

The two cases highlight how supporter banners and tifos can have consequences beyond the stadium, particularly when football authorities believe their content breaches disciplinary rules or crosses acceptable behavioural limits.

Old Firm supporter behaviour remains under scrutiny

Sunday’s Old Firm fixture took place without Celtic supporters in attendance, creating a different atmosphere inside Ibrox.

Away fans have been excluded from Old Firm matches this season following a series of disorder-related incidents. As a result, supporters of Rangers and Celtic have been kept apart during their meetings.

The latest tifo has therefore emerged amid wider discussions about fan conduct and the responsibility clubs have for managing displays inside their stadiums.

Hackett believes Rangers should be reminded that aggressive or inappropriate imagery cannot be overlooked.

His criticism also raises questions about whether the Scottish Football Association will respond consistently, especially given the history of controversial displays involving Rangers supporters.

On the pitch, Rangers’ attention was firmly on securing a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, and Derek McInnes’ side delivered a commanding performance.

Dan Neil scored twice, while Kevin Kelsy added another as Rangers completed a convincing 3-0 victory over Celtic.

Despite the emphatic result, Hackett’s comments could lead to renewed questions about the events in the stands.

It remains unclear whether the SFA will contact Rangers, issue an official warning or decide not to take further action.

Hackett, however, believes the governing body should address the matter and make sure the tifo is not repeated.

With tensions already high around Old Firm fixtures, the debate over supporter displays is unlikely to disappear. Rangers may have settled the contest decisively on the pitch, but the controversial pre-match banner could continue to generate discussion among the club, its supporters and Scottish football authorities.