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“Scotland needs an immigration policy suited to our specific circumstances and needs. Scotland needs people to want to work here, in our businesses, our universities and in our public services.” So says the SNP. We have had one of the highest profile immigrants in Scotland, Alfredo Morelos, suffer continual racism over the past 12 months and the reactions in the press by well-known journalists have been varied from: a call for him to prove it, despite the internet being awash with clips of it, and despite an earlier case of a fan pleading guilty after being charged with it, and another case being investigated by another football team. a claim that it did not happen as he didn’t have a “great grasp of the English language” and it wasn’t racism but just old fashioned abuse, suggesting that because he’s foreign he lacks the basic understanding of what’s racist and what’s not. to the sickening assertion by Davie Provan that if Morelos can’t take it then he’s in the wrong city. There you go, immigrants shouldn’t come to Glasgow unless they are prepared to endure racism. When the victim’s employer issues a statement condemning the racism, we have a so-called journalist reacting by criticising the syntax and punctuation of the statement, in an attempt to relegate the racism issue to an irrelevance and another who treated the statement with contempt by saying that the points made in the statement (for example, racist abuse must never be condoned) passed him by. This is not new. Within 2 months of Morelos arriving in Scotland a disgracefully xenophobic article appeared in one of the Scottish redtops, which talked of the young Colombian being “trafficked” and “smuggled”, with “other more obvious Colombian products (being) available”, and that he had “attracting sniffs from a cartel of English clubs”. This has set a tone that has continued throughout the last 30 months. I am not aware of any of the SNP majority in Holyrood offering their support to the young black Colombian immigrant who is suffering the racism, but they were quick enough to offer comments and support when it was a white Irishman. Perhaps there aren’t enough people with black Colombian heritage to make it worth their while and their anti-racism approach differs depending on the colour of the victim or the votes that they’ll get from it. The Scotland of 2020 is proving to be an unwelcoming place for foreigners and immigrants and the pro-racism approach by the press and the disinterest from MSPs highlights that racism is still a problem in Scotland and that immigrants shouldn’t expect a warm welcome if they do decide to come to Scotland.

The war against racism in Scotland has suffered a considerable setback in recent times, despite the multitude of diversity workshops being run regularly in our country. Such setbacks have not come courtesy of a group of marauding right wing thugs embarrassing our nation but an ignorant media displaying a complete lack of self-awareness and compliance with the material and training provided in the aforementioned diversity workshops. Our national broadcaster, BBC Scotland, lowered the crossbar considerably, providing a platform for allegations that a victim’s claim of racial abuse was solely motivated by a desire to deflect from another news story, and thus lacked credibility whilst at the same time repeatedly demanding evidence of such claims, running contrary to the teaching that a racial crime is an incident where the victim perceives that the conduct directed towards them was motivated by hatred or prejudice. Not only seeking to discredit the victim but providing justification (allegedly) for such motivation. Perhaps in lieu of “Narcos inspired” columns about a Columbian footballer appearing in the Daily Record we should also disregard the pitfalls of racial stereotyping. Better still, suggest that the victim lacks some measure of mettle or bottle if they cannot cope with such abuse. Way to go Davie Provan -target the victim instead of the perpetrators – wind that clock back at least 20 years, and whilst you are there perhaps you could tell us how damaging that orange top was to the peace process. Before I’m accused of viewing this unedifying episode through blue tinted spectacles, its worthwhile reflecting on this tweet from columnist and Tv presenter Jean Johansen : There has been something of a mixed reaction to the Rangers statement on social media. Whether you liked or loathed it, I’m far from convinced that the silence of the Rangers board is justified due to ongoing Police investigations. Much of the unedifying media content and conduct occurred well before the game which gave rise to the latest criminal proceedings. Call me cynical, but the catalyst to this latest Rangers statement release appears to be the recent attack on James Traynor rather than the long standing catalogue of attacks on Alfredo Morelos. As many of us repeatedly warned the Murray regime “So as you sow, so shall ye reap”. Dignified silence is neither dignified nor effective, it is a complete abdication of responsibility – an easy out for those are afraid to fulfil the sacred trust bestowed upon them as directors and guardians of our club. Any Traynoresque statement is akin to a red rag to a bull for some in the Scottish media. Graham Spiers just cant help himself, becoming afflicted with the irrational red mist which he attributes to the foaming bigoted Neanderthals he so often castigates. Never mind the racial abuse – so long as your p’s and q’s are in order. Why bother with the gravity of the message when there is an opportunity to shoot the messenger? The Rangers board are not the only ones guilty of silence. Where are all the anti-racism campaigners and charities, funded to challenge obsolete and draconian attitudes towards racism? Not a single word. This final paragraph in the Ranges statement has drawn some comment : “Finally, Rangers would be more than happy to accommodate the young person involved in this latest incident on one of our courses designed to help people understand why racist and sectarian abuse is unacceptable. Indeed, if any of those journalists/pundits who got it so badly wrong would like to attend we’d also welcome and help them.” Some have suggested it was both crass and undignified. Given the monumental failings of our media – it certainly wasn’t unnecessary.

I know you know the answer to your own question @Bill but let me answer it anyway..... "nothing". The club had an ideal opportunity to release that statement (which would have been great if it had been followed with action) and then remove press privileges. This would have created news in other parts of the UK and would have highlighted the racism that exists within our MSM. In releasing that on its own it achieves nothing, except giving Traynor an opportunity to have a go at his former colleagues. Our PR is terrible and getting worse. Celtic should be in the middle of a crisis regarding child molestors, racism, and corruption, and yet their PR has resulted in the narrative being all about us, or others. Our press and politicians are an utter disgrace to allow this, but our club is also to blame in allowing this. There are two things we need in order for the narrative to change. 1. A trophy win 2. A PR department The clue is in the name "Public Relations". Our club should be celebrated for having coming back from the brink to now challenge domestically and in Europe. Instead, most (?) members of the public have a negative image of our club and its supporters, and a neutral image of that other lot. If this was any other business there would be a measure on the success of the PR team. There is not a single measure that can possibly suggest that our team is doing anything other than a terrible job. I realise that football clubs, especially ours, are just small to medium sized businesses but even small businesses realise the importance of this. Our board must sort this out and soon. At the moment our on field performances are being severely let down by a dysfunctional back office team and that's just not acceptable.

It's the difference between having a journalist and a PR professional in charge.

The Theatre of Hector. Kenny MacIntyre is a staffer at BBC Scotland. Mostly, he is known for hosting midweek Sportsound. I think he is the last Rangers supporting Staffer in the football department of PQ? Kenny MacIntyre is married, has three children of school age, has a mortgage, and other responsibilities. Whilst hosting Sportsound last week, Michael Stewart deliberately went off on a rant reference James Traynor. Kenny MacIntyre warned Stewart, then began to distance BBC Scotland from his views. Stewart continued with allegations about Craig Whyte editing Traynor's Daily Record columns(obviously, this comes from Whyte's book being released this coming Friday; and just as obviously, a few copies of the book were freely available around the Gang Hut before publication) and, 'not being a fan of the way Rangers do things as a club', he criticised Rangers conduct in making application for a Fanzone. Once again, MacIntyre distances BBC Scotland from Stewart's preferred political prejudice. Kenny MacIntyre was protecting and doing his job. Most of the usual suspects in the Gang Hut are Freelancers; DrStu', Big Dick, Tam Cowan, Michael Stewart, Jum Spence,.................... etc all enjoy a freedom of spouting an opinion without responsibility. eg Tam Cowan's school fees for his daughter's private schooling are not dependent upon cawing canny on Auntie Beeb and DrStu' doesn't need the comparative peppercorn fees to support his impressive property portfolio. Thus, it was most surprising on Saturday to hear Off the Ball begin with scripted opening lines in Spanish from DrStu', replied to by Cowan. A eulogising of 'Peter' by both for protecting Alfredo Morelos, and then came the, 'let's throw Kenny MacIntyre under a bus' for doing his job : DrStu' : well Thomas, today's show is indeed a landmark. This is the first time we have offered simultaneous translation to all our listeners. So, I have to say, Hola Escosia. Tam : Si Senor.what's that(theatrical sniff)? Have you trod on something by the way? DrStu' : No, I don't think so. Tam : Is this the studio where Kenny MacIntyre did Sportsound? Oof, dearie me. I thought you had let one rip? It's an absolute shocker, what a week it's been. DrStu' goes on to express concern for license fee payers!!!!! He defines Lost in Translation', tells us Jum Spence's favourite joke concerning Lost in Translation, lionises 'Peter' again, and wonders aloud, what is Spanish for muddle? DrStu' was specific in that ra Sellik should not be accused of racism. This thread has been running for over two years and Kenny MacIntyre's name is mentioned at regular intervals. The spectrum of accusation runs from shittin' himself to being untrustworthy, but more than anything else, his biggest demerit is being a fcuking H-u-n. I think MacIntyre had a Producer shouting in his ear during Stewart's diatribe, but both Cowan and DrStu' have decided to pile all the ridicule upon the Presenter. Being a Staffer, you would imagine BBC Scotland senior management would intervene? Being a Staffer, MacIntyre must have access to his Trade Union official, bullying, particularly constant bullying should be taken seriously? An excited DrStu' finished off by saying ra Sellik's complaint to OffCom was good because there will now be a published report naming all the names, "we can look forward to that" "What a week it's been"? Last Friday, Chris McLaughlin appeared on BBC Scotland's lunchtime TV news, his item was concerning Craig Whyte's book. As stated, advance copies have obviously been available in the Gang Hut for some time. Chris lost his professionalism when rhyming off some quotes. He got through, "the DUP offered Craig Whyte a photo opportunity to ease him through a local difficulty", similarly with, "Craig Whyte claims he edited James Traynor's columns", but lost it into an open laugh when commenting on Whyte's thoughts reference the Rangers Board before taking control, "they were all Pompous buffoons". He reappeared on the Scottish Nine and did the very same thing. It's a comfort that BBC Scotland had to promote Chris twice to remove him from the need for such bias on a daily bias. It is amazing that a clown such as Whyte is now considered the voice of reason. I am positive that McLaughlin spent years informing us license fee payers that Craig Whyte was a stranger to the truth? It would appear truth is a movable feast within the Gang Hut. Looking forward to that. DrStu's claim that ra Sellik should not be accused of racism is worthy of some consideration. On the 29th December at Sellik Park, Rangers visit resulted in a victory 1-2, and many knew there would be a price to pay. Now, the St Johnstone fan is no strager to NOT flagging up Sellik racism. He took on the job of updating BBC Scotland's landmark documentary, 'Only an Excuse' first aired in 1986. His sidekick Tam Cowan congratulated DrStu' on this feat covering thirty years by saying, "ah hope yer tongue has been retreaded twice"? DrStu' failed to mention Mark Walters debut at Sellik Park on the 2nd January'88. Despite testimony from the likes of now Solicitor, Gerry Britton; DrStu' thinks such events as the match being held up for a total of 12 minutes to remove the carpet of bananas in front of the Jungle, as awkward and inconvenient in modern Scotland. Despite knowing both sectarian and racist abuse was recorded on the 29th December at Sellik Park, despite knowing the Police were actively investigating the accusations, and despite knowing both sectarian and racist abuse allegations were included in the Match Delegate's report; DrStu' chose to say ra Sellik should not be accused of racist abuse. Still, 'Peter' will be happy with his efforts.

I remember two Aberdeen supporters being arrested by the Police at Pittodrie for racist abuse of Morelos. What happened to those two? Further, like the Celtic Park incidents, it was fellow Aberdeen fans that reported both to the Police.

It's certainly a push in the right direction but I fundamentally disagree that much or all of the offending media cannot be excluded from Ibrox. What this amounts to is a gentle threat to do so but it will, as always, be ignored and we will still be faced with what is the only choice for Rangers - exclude them all or lie down in the gutter. The hesitation to do so shows the same old lack of courage that has characterised Rangers leadership for more than a generation.

Club 1872 Statement on Scottish media treatment of Alfredo Morelos Dear Member, Club 1872 notes the criminal charges filed in relation to the racist abuse of Alfredo Morelos by Celtic supporters at the recent Old Firm Game at Celtic Park and we hope the police are able to identify and charge the other perpetrators. We also commend Rangers on their statement yesterday which highlighted the disgraceful coverage which this incident has received in the Scottish press and by BBC Scotland. Having been in constant contact with the club on this matter over the past week, we were aware that it was likely that criminal charges would be forthcoming and that robust comment from the club would follow. On all matters of interest to the support we make strong and frequent representations to the club. Those discussions will not always be made public but they always take place and it is Club 1872’s priority to effect real and meaningful change on behalf of supporters through our influence as major shareholders. We fully understand the frustration of supporters who were waiting to hear from Rangers or Club 1872 but who, in the meantime, had to put up with Scottish media commentators and columnists who were more interested in conspiracy theories than calling out racism. Let us be clear here. Every single journalist or commentator who played down this racist incident or tried to cast doubt on it even happening, was well aware that Rangers had reported it to the police, that the police were investigating and that it was referenced in the match delegate’s report. They are also aware that these are not the first charges to be filed in the past year in relation to racist abuse of Rangers players. For Tom English, Michael Stewart, Bill Leckie, Roger Hannah, Davie Provan and Gordon Waddell, to name but a few, to demand more proof than that before accepting that this incident took place was shameful. For several of them to use it as their latest excuse to attack the club or the player himself was even worse. Their comments mirrored and then legitimised the bile which emanated from the worst corners of social media towards Rangers, Alfredo Morelos and his family. In any similar situation, with any other player and any other club, they would be pariahs. With that in mind we met with Rangers this morning to discuss how this incident should signal a fresh approach to the relationship between the club and the media in Scotland. The access granted to these media outlets is a valuable commodity and as such it should be justifiable from both a commercial and reputational point of view. With huge, ongoing changes to the way information is consumed it is not clear what benefit the club derives on either of these fronts from the traditional Scottish media. On that basis we have made representations to the club about providing the same access for supporter led, new media and that proposal has been well received. It is our firm belief that Rangers should no longer provide valuable content to traditional outlets without there being measures in place to deal with those who publish the sort of bile we have seen in recent weeks. Having reached the stage where some pundits and journalists feel it is acceptable to publicly deny, downplay or make excuses for the racism suffered by a Rangers player, it is clear that the relationship with those journalists and their employers needs to be carefully and continuously re-examined. We fully understand that it is not desirable to completely ban media outlets from Ibrox but it is also not acceptable for media outlets to target our club, fans and players and still expect to be granted unfettered access to the content generated by the club. We will continue our dialogue with both the club and those media outlets over the coming weeks and months with the aim of ensuring that the situation significantly improves. Club 1872 Issued by Supporters Voice Limited, a Club 1872 company

Communication - say what you mean, mean what you say? I note the BBC headline this morning, 'Four men arrested in Lyra McKee murder'. In April last year, journalist Lyra McKee, 29, was shot while observing rioting in Derry's Creggan estate. The IRA admitted carrying out the murder, four men aged 20, 27, 29, and 52 were arrested this morning under the Terrorism Act. We can flesh this out, a line of Police containg the riot were being pelted with stones and bottles. Over the duration of several hours, in excess of 50 petrol bombs were hurled at the PSNI. A gap opened in the rioters and a balaclava clad gunmen stepped forward, kneeled, and fired seven rounds from a handgun. Lyra McKee was standing to the side of the police line, partially protected by an armoured landrover, she was hit in the eye by one of the last rounds fired. Again, this thread has several mentions of Lyra McKee's murder because several of the usual suspects within PQ found the events awkward and inconvenient. Angela Haggerty was adamant that Soldier F should be prosecuted, when Lyra McKee's murder was raised, she replied the IRA are defunct and were protected by the Good Friday agreement. Her co-founder of 'Call it Out', Jeanette Findlay held the same view. Ironically, Jeanette in her designation as a Senior Lecturer at Glasgow University had been the target of an IRA postal bomb three months previously. McKee's murder was running interference on the PQ preferred line of prosecution of soldiers. As alluded to in earlier posts, DrStu' is the Grand Doyen and he has a habit of coming up with something to say. He would be better just admitting he does not have the answer, perhaps he likes the sound of his own voice? BBC Radio Scotland is his snowy linen canvas and he paints the picture. During the Media Review in late May, he settled the issue with, "Lyra McKee died in crossfire". The definition of Crossfire is fire emanating from two or more directions, passing through the same area. As the only shots came from the lone IRA gunman, then it appears DrStu' lied because it was most convenient. On the same show, DR Eammon O'Neill added, "Lyra McKee was not targeted" and Shona Craven of the National was at pains for McKee's death not to be classified as murder, "we need a new classification". At Lyra's funeral, the Priest, Father Magill conducting began by asking, "why has it taken the murder of a 29 year old girl ..... "? Today's arrests prove how important language is in defining terms. How can one be charged with murder if we deny it occurred? This Thursday, the media review will be defined by Sinn Fein's electoral gains in the Republic of Ireland. Both DrStu' and O'Neill will use specific language, urging Scotland to be on the right side of history. Denying a section of ra Sellik supporters indulged in racism despite two arrests, denying Lyra McKee's murder despite four arrests, means we have to examine DrStu's language. His communication skills are beginning to appear most similar to Phil McFournames.

The problem is the host is defacto one of the highest heid yins in British media... He will decide the content, no-one else.

IMO, Jim Traynor is the Peter Van Vossen of statement writing but unnecessarily verbose or not, Rangers had a right of reply to recent media coverage and it's a shame that some choose to miss that point and the issue of racism in their eagerness to mock the messenger. In general though, statement writing in Scottish Football jumped the shark a long time ago. Whatever the source, they're more often than not pointlessly self-indulgent as entrenched positions won't be changed. Much better to simply take action on the worst offenders. Taking away media privileges won't bother your Leckies, Cosgroves and Stewarts but it will isolate them further from those who do have to write up pressers, puff-pieces and match reports to pay their mortgage. Removing that industry support is arguably our only strategy.

Director of Communications? "Right Spiers, step into my office and close the door"

There's nothing to lose in banning the likes of Pacific Quay CSC, The Sun and the Daily Record. Get them all to f*ck!

To be honest it's the last paragraph that I think isn't great. And the stuff telling people to take a look at themselves or to apologise. It just seems needlessly aggressive and smug. The rest is fine, but seriously we need to be controlling the vitriol.

When I see a stream of posts commending a club statement, it's often a good indicator that the statement was in fact written for supporter consumption as opposed to influencing those to whom it appears to be directed.

It's worth remembering that Off The Ball has a producer too, that person is ultimately responsible for the content broadcast by its presenters. They must have given the start and the overall tone the green light, if not suggested it in the first place. That strongly suggests the prevailing view in BBC Scotland.

Not sure about the statement, it has an air of unnecessary smugness about it. We shouldn't be writing Morelos' name in lights here, we need to quietly remind people of the facts. I really dislike the passive aggressive statements that (I assume) Traynor writes. The timing is poor for me, especially with the kid being charged with racism. We shouldn't forget it's an impressionable 12 year old that's charged, not an adult. This whole case needs some care and sensitivity from everyone.

I don't think we need to go to the lengths of banning people, we just have to be diplomatic in our responses. ...

Would they write anti-Rangers articles? No, wait, they already do that. The difference would be that we're not welcoming them into our home while they're doing it.

Thanks Ian for posting these but I won't be clicking on it and I hope others don't either. The MSM doesn't deserve clicks or any further dissemination of its agenda. Let's just stick to our own fan created content from now on.

Any Rangers news, interviews should be released on the official site and Rangers TV, no exclusives for the Scottish gutter press

After a long and disappointing run of poor performances, Scott Arfield has been making a good contribution lately and Saturday saw him approaching his displays of last season. Without hesitation and for the first time in a long time, I thought Scott deserved to be MOTM.

improvement from Kamara , and Hagi again shows real promise , but Arfield gets the nod for me . I have no clue how to do a MOTM thread @Frankie ,so of little help there i'm afraid ☹️

Could be Chris Graham?

Much better. I wonder who writes the Club 1872 statements.

I believe in Army parlance it is called "Blue on Blue", although that hardly seems appropriate in the circumstance. No matter, really, homicide is still homicide.

Fixed that for you.

Nothing new, just had to get it off my chest! ?

This distinction looks increasingly stark with every statement. However, it's also relevant to remember that our PR person didn't appoint himself. The dispiriting truth is that we continue to need changes well above the level of PR. We think this has been a long journey but I think very few appreciate just how far we still have to travel.

First two would have to be Rangers. Who knows with the translation.

Perhaps, but it's more of a dig to actually name them.

First thoughts, brilliant comparison. Second thoughts. Van Vossen was actually a good player. The statement wasn’t great. The intention was good but very clumsily expressed. Don’t tell people to take a look at themselves. Tell them they are wrong and tell them the consequences of persisting in their conduct.

Why use Old Firm game instead of "the game against Celtic"? I'm not one for not using the phrase "old firm" but why allow them not to be specifically mentioned when it's one of their fans who has been charged?

Not sure that the hosts will be steered by the producer in this case.

No, it's not the reason. It's for punishment and prevention in the future.

Now I am persuaded that this was in fact the best statement ever made by a football club.

The club, players, management all continue to give the Scottish gutter press interviews! this should have been stopped a long time ago, will it stop now?.

I think you'll find the contents of that statement will quickly be ridiculed in exactly the same quarters that it refers to. Be absolutely sure of one thing. The treatment of Morelos has nothing to do with poor judgement or a failure of editorial control. It is deliberate, calculated and vindictive, so hoping to shame those responsible into a change of heart shows a forlorn misunderstanding of the depth of bigotry and bitter hatred burning inside so much of what used to be a decent country to live in.

I agree. This is an excellent statement, but the hatred runs too deep for any of them to apologise. I, like every other bear, will remain angry until these disgusting commentators get what thy deserve. Every one of them should be sacked, and in any other country that's what would happen. I've always been proud to be Scottish and British. Unfortunately these days I'm becoming disgusted at what our little country is becoming. I hope we can somehow recover.

Fantastic statement from the club. It has anger running all the way through it. Now that the Police have charged an individual with racially abusing Alfredo Morelos at the Old Firm game on 29 December, it is necessary to state yet again that racist abuse, indeed abuse of any form, must never be condoned or dismissed.The first thing to be made clear is that even though many others commented on the issue of abuse (racial and sectarian) directed towards Alfredo Morelos, Rangers had a duty of care not to say anything that might compromise a live Police Scotland investigation. What none of us should ever do, however, is dismiss, or trivialise abusive behaviour as too many media outlets, journalists, and pundits have done in this instance.Perhaps there might be a bout of contrition and one or two may feel a pang of guilt now that the evidence some of them so loudly demanded is there in the form of this charge.If enough of our media had been of a mind to treat the issue with the gravity required from the outset, as normally happens with these issues, there would have been none of the dismissive comments which have helped pollute social media, newspapers and broadcast platforms. Social media is, of course, largely lawless but some of the pieces written and broadcast around Alfredo Morelos in mainstream media were and remain disgraceful.He has been described as a waster, a cheat, an angry brat and one columnist/pundit actually wrote that if you can’t take the vitriol you are in the wrong city. The implication seems to be that the fault lies not with those who choose racism and abuse, but with a young immigrant who chose to come to our country. This is a deeply disturbing attitude and that it was actually expressed in a national newspaper defies belief.When a player is at the centre of an abuse claim he is treated with respect and sensitivity and given support. That is certainly the case in England, but not here and most certainly not with Alfredo Morelos, who is actually being demonised in many quarters of the media.A number of factually incorrect stories have been written and published about Alfredo recently causing a great deal of stress and anxiety within his family at a time when his heavily-pregnant wife should be calm and relaxed.A river of negative and hurtful attention has been flowing towards the Morelos family without thought or concern for the individuals involved and the way they have been treated is shameful. Especially vulgar is the manner in which claims of abuse, racist and sectarian, have been dismissed in some quarters – BBC Scotland in particular – where the overall situation has been mocked amid outrageous claims that Rangers were behind the leaking of certain stories. None of this shows our media and country in a good light.Perhaps now some people will take a long and honest look at themselves and who knows, they might even apologise, but all of this serves only to make Rangers even more committed to our Everyone Anyone campaign. We will not stop or slow our efforts to make Ibrox a place open and welcoming to all.Finally, Rangers would be more than happy to accommodate the young person involved in this latest incident on one of our courses designed to help people understand why racist and sectarian abuse is unacceptable. Indeed, if any of those journalists/pundits who got it so badly wrong would like to attend we’d also welcome and help them.