Rangers have issued a strong public statement condemning what they described as “vile” mockery of the Ibrox Disaster by a section of Celtic supporters. The club said it was appalled by the behaviour and called for a higher standard of conduct around one of the most tragic events in Scottish football history.
The Ibrox Disaster refers to the tragedy that occurred at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on Jan. 2, 1971, when a crush on Stairway 13 led to the deaths of 66 people and injuries to many more. The disaster is commemorated annually and holds deep emotional significance for Rangers, the families of those who died, and the wider Scottish football community.
In their statement, Rangers condemned the conduct as deeply disrespectful to the memory of the victims and to the families who continue to be affected more than five decades later. The club said such behaviour has no place in football and does not reflect the values that should be associated with either Rangers or Celtic.
Rangers also stressed that “all parties must be prepared to have their actions and decision-making subjected to proper scrutiny,” a line that underlined their position that clubs, governing bodies, and authorities must be willing to examine how such incidents are handled. The club indicated it expects meaningful follow-up to ensure that this type of behaviour is addressed robustly.
The rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, often referred to as the Old Firm, is one of the most intense in world football, with a long, complex history that spans sporting, social, and cultural divides. Incidents involving offensive songs, chants, and banners have been a recurring issue around fixtures between the two Glasgow clubs, prompting repeated calls from football authorities and both clubs for greater respect and responsibility from supporters.
Rangers’ latest comments fit into that broader context, with the club emphasising that references to tragedies and loss of life cross a clear line. While passionate support and rivalry are integral parts of the matchday experience, Rangers insisted that mocking historical disasters cannot be tolerated.
The club’s statement did not detail specific sanctions or actions it expects to follow, but its call for “proper scrutiny” suggests Rangers want a thorough review of how such incidents are reported, investigated, and, where appropriate, disciplined. The issue is likely to prompt further discussion among Scottish football stakeholders about how best to tackle abusive or offensive behaviour in stadiums, including clearer messaging, improved enforcement, and closer cooperation between clubs, authorities, and supporter groups.
By publicly addressing the matter, Rangers have also sought to reaffirm their commitment to the memory of the Ibrox Disaster victims and to the principle that football should be an environment where historic tragedies are remembered with dignity rather than used as a source of rivalry or provocation.
