Former official calls on SFA to contact Rangers over fan scenes during Celtic match, labeling them “completely unacceptable.”

Keith Hackett demands SFA contact Rangers over Ibrox tifo

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has called on the Scottish Football Association to contact Rangers following a controversial fan display before Sunday’s 3-0 Premier Sports Cup victory over Celtic at Ibrox.

The Rangers supporters’ tifo has attracted attention because of the image it portrayed, with Hackett arguing that the nature of the display was inappropriate, particularly during a period when tensions between the club and Scottish football authorities remain high.

On the pitch, it was a memorable afternoon for Derek McInnes and his Rangers team. The Gers produced a dominant performance against their Old Firm rivals to book their place in the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

Dan Neil was the star of the afternoon, scoring twice, with Kevin Kelsy also finding the net between Neil’s goals. The result sent Rangers through to the last four, where they will face one of Hearts, Hibernian or Aberdeen at Hampden Park.

McInnes’ tactical approach proved highly effective as Rangers controlled the contest and left Celtic struggling to respond. The three-goal victory represented a statement result, but events before kick-off have created another potential issue away from the football itself.

Rangers fans raise controversial tifo

With Celtic supporters prevented from attending the match, Rangers had the home crowd entirely behind them.

Away fans have been prohibited from attending Old Firm matches throughout the current season because of repeated problems involving crowd behaviour at previous fixtures.

Rangers have also already been informed that they could be required to play a Scottish Cup home fixture behind closed doors this season, should the competition draw give them home advantage.

Against that background, Hackett believes the latest fan display could result in further discussions between Rangers and the SFA.

The tifo was displayed in the Copland Road area before the match and depicted a famous confrontation involving former Rangers player Ian Ferguson and Celtic player Mike Galloway.

The image showed Ferguson grabbing Galloway by his shirt during the altercation.

Galloway, who died earlier this year, was therefore featured in a display that Hackett believes was unnecessarily aggressive in its presentation.

The former official feels that such imagery should not be celebrated or promoted, particularly when relations between Rangers and the governing body are already strained.

Hackett brands display “completely unacceptable”

Hackett, who previously worked as a Premier League referee and served as general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, believes the SFA should intervene.

He argued that Rangers should be contacted directly and warned that similar displays should not be repeated.

Speaking to Ibrox News, Hackett gave a particularly strong assessment of what supporters displayed at Ibrox.

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

He also believes the communication from the governing body should go beyond simply expressing concern.

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

His comments come at a time when Rangers have already been involved in several controversies concerning supporter displays.

Although the latest tifo may appear relatively mild when compared with some previous examples, there is a clear history of Rangers fans using provocative imagery and messages.

Previous Rangers tifo controversies

One of the more serious incidents occurred last year when police investigated a Rangers tifo featuring former club manager Graeme Souness holding what appeared to be a shotgun.

The display also included the words “Take aim against the rebel scum.”

Rangers publicly condemned the display at the time, distancing the club from the message and imagery.

Despite the controversy, the police investigation eventually determined that no criminal offence had been committed.

The SFA also did not take action following that particular incident.

That history is one reason why Hackett believes the governing body should now take the opportunity to make its position clear regarding the latest display.

There has also been disciplinary action from UEFA concerning another Rangers banner.

In March of the previous year, European football’s governing body fined the club over a discriminatory banner displayed by supporters.

The message on that occasion read: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out. Defend Europe.”

Unlike the earlier Souness display, the UEFA incident did result in a financial sanction for Rangers.

These incidents demonstrate that supporter displays can carry consequences beyond the stadium, particularly when governing bodies believe banners or tifos cross disciplinary or behavioural boundaries.

Old Firm tensions remain under scrutiny

Sunday’s match was played in an unusual atmosphere because Celtic supporters were not permitted to attend.

The decision to ban away fans from Old Firm fixtures this season followed repeated incidents of disorder, meaning Rangers and Celtic supporters have been separated for the meetings between the two clubs.

The latest tifo therefore arrives within a broader debate about supporter behaviour and the responsibility of clubs to control what happens in their stadiums.

Hackett’s position is that Rangers should be reminded that displays containing aggressive or inappropriate imagery cannot simply be ignored.

His comments also place pressure on the SFA to respond consistently, particularly given the history of previous incidents involving Rangers supporters.

For Rangers, the priority on Sunday was undoubtedly the football, and McInnes’ players delivered an emphatic response on the pitch.

Neil’s brace and Kelsy’s goal secured a convincing 3-0 victory and sent the Gers into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.

However, Hackett’s criticism means the club could now face questions about events in the stands.

Whether the SFA decides to contact Rangers, issue a formal warning or take no further action remains to be seen.

For Hackett, however, the message is clear: he believes the governing body should speak to the club and ensure that the tifo is not repeated.

The debate surrounding supporter displays is unlikely to disappear, especially with tensions surrounding Old Firm fixtures already high. Rangers’ dominant victory may have settled matters on the pitch, but the controversy over the pre-match display could provide another talking point for the club, supporters and Scottish football authorities.