Is this the start of the fightback , from todays Herald

[rbr 1,247]

RANGERS; WE WILL NOT BE BLAMED FOR SECTARIANISM

 

New boss promises "aggresive" fightback against critics

 

Craig Whyte, the new owner of Rangers, has launched a robust fightback against the football clubs critics on sectarianism, making clear that it will "not be made the whipping boys for society's failings".

 

Ahead of next weeks meeting of the Scottish Governments joint action group, chaired by First Minister Alex Salmond, Mr Whyte has tasked his friend Jack Irvine, executive chairman of Media House International, to spearhead a "more aggresive" response to Rangers critics within and outwith the political world.

 

Mr Irvine said, "What we won't be is knocked around by knee-jerk politicians and by others across the coty. We're drawing a line in the sand. Sectarianism is a problem, but not the sole problem of Rangers Football Club"

 

A decision to be more assertive was made following a meeting between Mr Whyte and members of the All-party Rangers group at Westminster, which includes chairman John Robertson, the Labour MP for Glasgow North West, Peter Robinson, the Northern Irish First minister, Lord Wallacw of Tankerness, the Advocate general, and Eleanor Laing, the Conservative back bencher. Sectarianism was high on the meetings agenda.

 

Mr Irvine, a former editor of The Scottish Sun, said that Rangers views were clear: that it fully supported Mr Salmond and the SNP Government to ris Scottish society of bigotry and that it applauded the decision not to rush through legislation.

 

Mr Irvine added: "However, we are clear in our own minds that there alre elements both in Glasgow and abroad, who are desperate to lay the blame of Scotlands ills at the doors of Ibrox.

"I would have thought these poliyically motivated critics might use their energies to analyse the chief problems in our society such as poor education, unemployment, drugs and youth crime.

 

"All respectable Rangers supporters, and that is the vast majority, condemn bigotry and sectrarianism but we will not be the whipping boys for societys failings.

"For too long, Rangers have taken it in the neck. it's a new owner, new management, new rules. Craig wants a more robust challenge to ill-informed critics. He does not intend for Rangers to be pushed around."

 

Without naming names, Mr Irvine added: "I have a message for those of you who would denigrate Rangers: if you stop telling lies about us, we'll stop telling the truth about you."

 

Brian Donohoe, labour Mp for Central Ayrshire, who is the all party Rangers Group secretary, supported Mr Irvines sentiments, saying: "We should be on the offensive, not the deffensive. Our record is there to speak for itself. This has to be taken forward on the basis of fairness to all."

 

In April, Rangers was fined �£71,294 by Uefa for sctarian chanting and will not have any of its fans at the first away match of next season after charges of inappropriate chanting were brought in both legs of a Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven. It has been estimated that Rangers could lose more than �£2 million in lost gate receipts.

 

The issue of sectarianism came to ahead earlier this year when Neil Lemon, the Celtc manager, bacame the victim of a hate campaign and was attacked during a match away to Hearts in Edinburgh. A 26 year old man was subsequently charged with breach of the peace and assualt, both aggravated by religious prejudice.

 

In May, the high profile Glasgow lawyer and former Rangers chief, Donald Findlay QC, was targeted when a suspicious package, thought to be a knife, was sent to Cowdenbeath FC, where he is now chairman.

 

Meanwhile, two men are to face trial after suspected bombs were posted to Mr Lemon as well as other leading supporters of the club.

[Frankie 8,145]

 

We pay a lot of money for MH so I hope we'll start using their advice more effectively than in previous years.

 

(Thanks to FF for the scans)

Edited July 6, 2011 by Frankie

[Guest Dutchy]

This can only be good news as in some small way, it may avoid Rangers fans in silly arguements that can easily get out of hand if they feel no-one else is defending them. I hope these lies can be exposed and they are in turn put in the dock, where the full glare of their bigotrous feelings are up for viewing.

[ian1964 10,409]

For too long Rangers have bent over and taken it up the ring,hopefully this will be a warning to the agenda driven mHedia,not to mention the BHEASTS.

[Jim1955 12]

A good start, let's keep it going.

[bmck 117]

This can only be good news as in some small way, it may avoid Rangers fans in silly arguements that can easily get out of hand if they feel no-one else is defending them. I hope these lies can be exposed and they are in turn put in the dock, where the full glare of their bigotrous feelings are up for viewing.

 

This is perhaps the most important point right at the heart of everything.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Very impressed with this statement of intent dealing with our enemies, but talking the talk is all good and well. But before long with scum like the Odious Creep and Mc Gobblegiver, Mr Whyte's patience will be tested and he will have to walk the walk with them. First by banning the Creep and secondly by exposing McGobblegivers sectarian agenda in the courts.

[chilledbear 16]

'If you stop telling lies about us, we'll stop telling the truth about you'.

 

Sounds good, but the Support has to be very careful.

[ian1964 10,409]

This is perhaps the most important point right at the heart of everything.

 

Aye,I honestly think that when a lot of Rangers fans felt there was nobody from the club defending them and seeing the BHEASTS seemingly get away with singing whatever they liked it did make some fans retaliate and revert to some '' offensive songs '',now if they get the club defending them then I'm sure this won't happen.

[Frankie 8,145]

I see this issue as extremely important.

 

Last season we seen some disgraceful tactics from Celtic FC. Not only did they infer cheating from our officials but discrimination from our footballing authorities and more. They also actively encouraged the less sensible sections of their support and their manager's behaviour was nothing less than an embarrassment - resulting in not one, not two but three police warnings. Yet, as ever, he's the victim.

 

Make no mistake, this under-current of political attack will continue this season and will get worse as long as we remain in the ascendency in terms of trophies.

 

I, for one, am delighted our new owner has recognised this and being pro-active to combat these distasteful attempts to control the game in Scotland. The media will have their part to play as well and have done so now for over 5 years. It's beyond time our club played by the same rules.