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    Dundee United fans sing vile chant about the Queen during minute’s silence sparking furious response from Rangers

    A SMALL section of Dundee United fans shamefully interrupted a minute’s silence in honour of the Queen.Ibrox fell silent ahead of the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Dundee United.
    Ibrox held a minute’s silence ahead of Rangers vs Dundee UnitedCredit: Willie Vass
    A section of Dundee fans interrupted the silenceCredit: PA
    But Radio Scotland microphones clearly picked up a small section of the away fans booing as the tribute began.
    They then broke into a disgusting chant during the period of silence.
    Supporters were shamefully heard singing “Lizzie’s in a box.”
    Rangers fans impeccably observed the minute’s silence, before erupting in a chorus of boos directed at the away fans.
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    The interrupted silence was followed by a rendition of ‘God Save the King’.
    Rangers also played the National Anthem in midweek ahead of their 3-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli.
    The Glasgow club defied Uefa who banned UK clubs from singing the anthem as they didn’t want kick-off times delayed.
    Although the Gers will not face any Uefa action for honouring the Queen before their meeting with the Italian side.
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    Some Scottish sides decided to hold a minute’s applause instead of silence this weekend due to fears of the quiet being interrupted.
    Antonio Colak opened the scoring for the Gers before running over and shushing the away fans.
    He pointed at the Dundee supporters and put his fingers to his lips after putting the home side ahead.
    Antonio Colak shushed the away fans after opening the scoring for RangersCredit: Willie Vass More

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    Sky Sports producers ordered to turn down crowd noise at Celtic clash if offensive chants about the Queen are heard

    SKY SPORTS staff have reportedly been instructed to turn the sound levels down if Celtic fans sing offensive chants about the Queen at St Mirren tomorrow.BT Sport had to apologise as their cameras focused on an offensive banner during Celtic’s Champions League game away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
    Celtic fans unfurled offensive banners mocking the Queen’s death this weekCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    Sky Sports have plans in place in case Celtic fans sing offensive chants on SundayCredit: Getty
    Now the Daily Mail claims that Sky Sports’ staff “have been primed to avoid a repeat” during coverage of the upcoming Scottish Premiership clash.
    Ofcom regulations state that broadcasters should avoid showing any material that could cause offence to viewers.
    And this fresh report states that “the regulator is understood to have provided further guidance this week that insulting material about the Queen falls into that category”.
    Now Sky Sports’ production staff “have been instructed to turn down sound levels or even switch off individual microphones” if any offensive chants are heard during the Celtic game.
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    St Mirren have confirmed that they will hold a minute’s applause before kick off rather than the period of silence that has been held at almost every other UK ground.
    That is due to fears of mass booing from the away section.
    Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has urged his team’s supporters to respect the planned minute’s applause.
    That plea came after fans unveiled anti-monarchy banners prior to their Champions League game on Wednesday.
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    One read “f*** the crown” with another reading ‘Sorry for your loss Michael Fagan’ – which was referring to the infamous intruder who found his way into the late Queen’s Buckingham Palace bedroom 40 years ago.
    The anti-royal sentiments from Celtic fans have made St Mirren chiefs ditch their plans for a moment of silence in favour of a minute’s applause.
    But Postecoglou said: “As a football club we’ll abide by the obligations in the most respectful way.
    “We wore black armbands on Wednesday night – and that was sort of lost on people.
    “If it is a minute’s applause, we will abide by that, and we’ll do it in the most respectful manner because I think that is the football club we are and want to be.
    “What we always try and do is portray ourselves as a football club that is respectful and understands its obligations.” More

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    Rangers ‘looking at ex-Premier League and Manchester City free agent Fabian Delph’

    RANGERS are ‘looking’ at ex-Premier League star Fabian Delph, who is now a free agent after leaving Everton at the end of last season.The Gers have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old midfielder, according to Football League World.
    Fabian Delph is a free agentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    He is on the market after spending three years at the club when he transferred from Manchester City.
    But they face stiff competition from a host of Premier League teams, including Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Reading, who are all reportedly looking at Delph.
    And ex-Rangers star Alan Hutton has put forward his former Aston Villa teammate as a “great” free agent signing for the Ibrox side.
    Hutton played with Delph at Villa Park between 2011 and 2015, before the English midfielder moved to Manchester City.
    And he believes the 32-year-old could offer some much-needed leadership at Ibrox as he labelled him a “winner”.
    However he did throw a cautionary word in regarding Delph’s fitness, particularly after Rangers’ struggles in keeping Aaron Ramsey fit last season.
    Hutton told Football Insider: “Obviously I know him very well, he was my captain at Aston Villa so I know what he brings to the party.
    “He’s obviously a great player and within the dressing room he’s an absolute leader, definitely a winner.
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    “That’s probably something that Rangers could have at this moment in time.
    “The one question mark that’s always been over him is fitness issues. You look at when [Aaron] Ramsey came in, there was a lot riding on him coming in and hitting the ground running and doing well and it didn’t work out.
    “That would be my one fear.
    “Of course I know him, he’s a great player, he could add a lot to that midfield but could he play on a consistent level week in week out?
    “There would always be that question mark there.”
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    We’d just lost to nine-man Rangers and were still hungover when we thrashed Celtic 4-0 reveals St Mirren star Lee Mair

    BEATING Celtic 4-0 was the best hangover cure Lee Mair has ever had.The former St Mirren defender was still feeling the effects of a heavy drinking session, when he was part of the Buddies team that got Tony Mowbray the sack a dozen years ago.
    24/03/10 CLYDESDALE BANK PREMIER LEAGUE ST MIRREN V CELTIC ST MIRREN PARK – PAISLEY Robbie Keane (left) holds off St Mirren’s Lee Mair
    Saints had lost the League Cup final to NINE-MAN Rangers at Hampden in 2010, before facing the other half of the Old Firm in the Premier League just a few days later.
    Mair recalled: “When we played Celtic that night, we were still absolutely devastated from losing the cup final.
    “On top of that we were all still hungover.
    “It was just madness, the whole thing.
    “On the Sunday, we lost to Rangers with nine men at Hampden, in the worst defeat of our careers.
    “I’ve never felt so gutted after a game of football.
    “There was a function arranged by the club, but most of the lads ended up in Glasgow with our wives and girlfriends — and we got absolutely smashed!
    “It was actually my wife’s birthday that day and everyone just got together in a Glasgow nightclub to drown our sorrows.
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    “The Celtic game was on the Wednesday night and I still felt rough.
    “I know there were St Mirren supporters who didn’t go to the Celtic game as they were still so disappointed by the cup final defeat.
    “To be honest I didn’t feel like going to the game either!
    Mentally we were lower than a snake’s belly. But it just shows you how football works sometimes because we got one of the club’s biggest wins ever against Celtic.
    “After the final whistle I don’t think we really knew what to do.
    “It didn’t really feel right to celebrate, given we had lost the cup final to nine men just a few days earlier. It was just a crazy result.”
    Mair went toe-to-toe with Hoops loan star Robbie Keane that night, and put the shackles on the Republic of Ireland legend.
    Midfielders Andy Dorman and Steven Thomson both grabbed doubles for Saints. Mair added: “Keane was playing for Celtic, and I remember he had an early chance to score to give them the lead, but Paul Gallacher saved his shot.
    “Incredibly, we went on to score four goals and keep a clean sheet.
    “It turned out to be Tony Mowbray’s last game as manager because he got sacked the next day.
    “I remember they had a young 19-year-old lad at centre-half, Josh Thompson, who ended up in the lower leagues in England. I’ll never forget how Aidan McGeady — one of the most skilful and attack-minded players in Scotland at that time — ended up at left-back.
    “It was an absolute shambles for Celtic, but a great night for everyone involved at Saints.”
    Mair would love to see the Buddies get a repeat result in Paisley tomorrow, but he can’t see it.
    He said: “As a St Mirren supporter now, having spent five years at the club, I fear that it could easily be a reverse result.
    “Celtic are on a different level right now and blowing teams away. It will be interesting to see how the game goes, but I do worry that it could be a tough one for my old club.
    “Celtic could not be further from where they were that night against us.”
    Dorman, who won three caps for Wales, opened the scoring in the first half back in 2010.
    Thomson added a second goal after the interval before a late one-two from the pair sealed an astonishing win for the Buddies.
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    Ex-Celtic star Anthony Stokes being hunted by cops again as warrant issued

    FORMER Celtic striker Anthony Stokes is being hunted by police after failing to appear in court.The 34-year old footballer had been due for sentencing at Hamilton Sheriff Court for bombarding his ex-girlfriend Eilidh Scott with offensive text messages.
    Ex-Celtic star Stokes was due to appear at court today but failed to show upCredit: PA:Press Association
    Stokes was nicked in Northern Ireland and brought back to Scotland in JulyCredit: Mark Ferguson
    But the court heard that the former Celtic and Hibs star had not responded to calls from social workers trying to create a background report on him.
    Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen ordered a warrant for his arrest following a brief hearing.
    He said: “These are post-conviction cases.
    “He hasn’t been responding to calls from social work and I will grant a warrant.”
    Stokes had been arrested by police in Northern Ireland, who were assisting police in Scotland, and placed on a flight from Belfast to Dundee Airport in July.
    He missed another sentencing hearing last month after testing positive for Covid-19 and had been ordered to appear back in court today.
    In 2019, Stokes admitted a stalking campaign where he bombarded Miss Scott with a string of abusive messages that saw him send 100 texts a day on WhatsApp and email.
    He labelled her a ‘s**t’, a ‘s**’ and a ‘w***e’, turned up at her home in Shotts, Lanarkshire, late at night and demanded to know her whereabouts.
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    The campaign of abuse lasted between July 2018 and February 2019.
    Ordering a warrant for his arrest in June last year, Sheriff Allan McKay said: “He pled guilty and was released on bail and he has now left the country in breach of bail.
    “He is not here in breach of his bail conditions and I’m not at all sure that he will come back unless required to do so by some sort of authority so to do that I’m issuing a warrant for his arrest.”
    Hours after the warrant was taken, Stokes posted a selfie on social media with the caption: “Any bad news?”
    And over the festive season he posted snaps of himself posing in a bar while wearing Adidas Yeezy trainers and later posted a photo showing an expensive Rolex watch.
    Stokes won seven trophies in six seasons at Parkhead and scored twice in Hibs’ 3-2 Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 2016.
    He has also had spells with Falkirk, Sunderland and Iranian outfit Tractor but is currently without a club.
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    Rangers 0 Napoli 3: Allan McGregor’s heroics the only bright spark as Italian giants fire past 10-man Gers at Ibrox

    THE fans belted out God Save the King.But despite his heroics Allan McGregor just couldn’t save Rangers.
    Allan McGregor thanks Rangers fans after the final whistleCredit: Getty
    Napoli celebrate their third goal against RangersCredit: Reuters
    The veteran 40 year-old keeper returned to action and made TWO sensational penalty stops after the Ibrox side were reduced to ten men.
    But on a night of high drama controversial Spanish referee Antonio Mate Lahoz awarded Napoli a THIRD spot-kick which they scored.
    The Italian side took full advantage of the extra man with two more goals against Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side.
    And to run salt into Rangers’ wounds the official awarded a late penalty to the Ibrox men – before changing his mind.

    It was a cruel outcome for the Dutchman and his side – and McGregor in particular – on the night when he became Rangers’ oldest ever player to play in the Champions League.
    Van Bronckhorst said before the game he fundamentally wouldn’t change his football philosophy. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t tinker with it.
    And who could really blame him when it came to switching from his usual back-four to a more defensive back-five?
    After back-to-back 4-0 defeats to Celtic and Ajax, he had to shore things up somehow against Italy’s impressive Serie A league leaders.
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    It made tactical sense to drop John Lundstram in between James Tavernier and Connor Goldson to give this side more protection.
    With Ryan Jack and Steven Davis deployed in defensive roles in midfield there was far more solidity to the line-up than there has been lately. Picking Alfredo Morelos was also a huge call.
    Antonio Colak could argue he hasn’t done a lot wrong this season, with seven goals to his name already.
    But the truth is the Croatian striker hardly got a kick in the Old Firm game or in the Amsterdam Arena.
    If Rangers were going to cause Napoli any problems they needed Morelos’ muscle and physicality.
    The question was whether or not he’d be match sharp enough when it mattered in front of goal.
    This was the Colombian’s first start of the season with his manager questioning his commitment to getting fully fit just a few weeks ago.
    Morelos has clearly grafted his way back into Van Bronckhorst’s plans and regained his trust.
    But it’s still going to take him time to get back to the player the club’s supporters know and love.
    He had a great chance to score inside the first minute when he was picked out inside the Napoli six-yard box by a wonderful cross from Tavernier.

    It was the type of opportunity he usually makes the most of, as the club’s record European goalscorer. 
    But with the crowd on its feet expecting him to hit the net he unfortunately glanced his header wide of the target.
    Morelos appeared to get his timing all wrong as he jumped for the ball and you had to put that down to his lack of game-time recently.
    It was the same with another chance just seconds before the end of the first-half. Scott Arfield did brilliantly to take the ball out of the sky and lay it back to Morelos with a lovely cushioned touch.
    But this time his team-mate swiped at the ball and missed it altogether.
    In all fairness, though, in between those two big moments for Rangers, Napoli were terrific throughout the first 45 minutes.
    Polish attacker Piotr Zieliński – wearing No20 – was a constant threat whenever he got on the ball. 
    The same with 21 year-old Georgian superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, wearing No77.
    Zieliński rattled Allan McGregor’s post early on before setting up Giovanni Simeone with another chance which brought a good save from the recalled Ibrox goalkeeper.
    Rangers fans also had their hearts in their mouths two or three times before the interval with terrific cross balls fired across goal.
    The best one came from Zieliński which forced Goldson into some sensational last-gasp defending right under his own crossbar.
    Van Bronckhorst had to be delighted with how his side were competing ahead of the second-half.

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    Napoli had their moments. But so did Rangers.
    Just like at the start of the first-half, Rangers had a brilliant chance to score right at the beginning of the second.
    Arfield just couldn’t sort his feet out quickly enough after Tavenier headed the ball down to him with his shot flying wide.
    Soon at the other end McGregor was beating away a decent effort from Kvaratskhelia before Goldson flashed a header wide. But the high drama was on its way.
    In 57 minutes Napoli hit Rangers on the break with Simeone racing through on goal before going down inside the box under a challenge from Sands.
    The defender – who had only been booked moments earlier – was shown a second yellow card and then a red with Napoli awarded a penalty.
    Up stepped Zielinski with McGregor diving to his right to made a stunning save – only for Matteo Politano to slam home the rebound.
    But wait.
    VAR spotted he’d run into the box before the spot-kick was taken and the goal was disallowed.
    But cruelly it meant Zielinski had another go at beating McGregor from 12 yards. Incredibly the veteran goalkeeper made ANOTHER save as Ibrox erupted.
    Almost unbelievably, though, Napoli would get a third penalty within just ten minutes with Borna Barisic penalised for handball inside the box. This time there was nothing McGregor could do.
    Politano took responsibility this time and the Rangers goalie guessed correctly again, but just couldn’t keep it out.
    It was heartbreaking for Rangers and McGregor in particular and with ten men the task became too much.
    In 84 minutes Napoli made it 2-0 with Giacomo Raspadori firing into the net from outside the box before Tanguy Ndombele added a third.
    Even then Rangers never gave up and Lahore awarded the home side a penalty for handball in stoppage time. Only to look at the VAR monitor and overturn his decision.

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    Rangers icon Graeme Souness explains why ordering famous portrait of the Queen was one of his first acts as Ibrox boss

    GRAEME SOUNESS has opened up on why he felt it was right to honour Queen Elizabeth II as one of his first acts as Ibrox boss.The Rangers legend was made first team manager in 1986 and straight away ordered the presence of Her Majesty to be clear in the dressing room.
    Rangers legend Graeme Souness
    Souness asked for the famous dressing room photo as one of his first acts as Ibrox boss
    He has now spoken up on why asking for the famous portrait was one of the first acts he carried out after being appointed.
    The image was soon put in place and has been hung above the captain’s position ever since.
    It’s been shared by the likes of Ally McCoist and Allan McGregor as they paid their respects.
    As the nation mourns the passing of the Queen – Souness explained his reasoning behind the decision and opened up on his experience of a personal meeting.
    Writing in the Daily Mail, he said: “One of the first things I did when I became Rangers manager, seven years earlier, was ask our kitman, Doddie Soutar, to get me the biggest portrait of our Queen that he could find, which we hung on the home dressing room wall.
    “It has remained there to this day.
    “I was one of the few very fortunate people to meet the Queen when she came to Anfield in 1993 to visit the Hillsborough Disaster Memorial.
    “I was Liverpool’s manager and I’ve never forgotten her empathy for the families and the club at that difficult time.”
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    Fellow Ibrox hero McCoist played under Souness right the way through his time in charge.
    The former Scotland striker took to social media to share his own heartfelt message, he said: “Nearly every day of my playing career at Rangers, I got ready for work under this picture.
    “They were the happiest of days and we all loved it. The lady who was Queen Elizabeth II was so much to so many, myself included.
    “Thanks for your service to us all.”
    The Light Blues had also gathered all of their teams together yesterday to observe a minute’s silence in respect.
    The first team gathered in the middle of the main park at the Rangers Training Centre while the academy sides and the Women’s team formed a circle in the middle of another pitch.

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    Duncan Ferguson ‘turns down’ Dundee United despite bid from Tannadice to replace Jack Ross

    DUNCAN FERGUSON has rejected an approach from Dundee United to return to the club as manager, according to reports.The Tannadice club are still searching for a replacement for Jack Ross and the former Utd, Rangers and Everton striker was thought to be among the top candidates.
    Duncan Ferguson will not step into management with Dundee Utd, it’s being reportedCredit: PA
    It was reported last month that Ferguson was open to discussions over a return to Tannadice as boss, to the place where he made his name in the early nineties before Gers splashed the cash on him.
    Ferguson left Everton this summer after an association with the Goodison Park club stretching back to 1994.
    After two spells as a player with the Toffees before going into coaching, Ferguson was given a taste of management during two short stints as interim boss following the sackings of Marco Silva and Rafael Benitez.
    Ferguson caught the management bug, leaving Everton to pursue opportunities as the main man.
    Dundee United coming calling looked like a good fit but according tot the Daily Telegraph, Ferguson has turned them down.
    Ferguson was the front runner at one point to succeed Jack Ross but current caretaker Liam Fox now leads the way with the bookies.
    Fox guided the Terrors to a 2-1 win over Livingston in his first game in charge, which came just hours after Ross was given his P45.
    Ross lost his job after just ten weeks at the helm on Tayside, paying the price for a 7-0 humiliation in Europe at the hands of AZ Alkmaar and a 9-0 demolishing by Celtic.
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    In between that, Ross’ side were on the receiving end of consecutive three-goal margin defeats, losing 4-1 to Hearts and 3-0 to St Mirren.
    After Ross was dismissed, Utd chairman Mark Ogren wrote an open letter to fans.
    He said: “I would like to address the current situation amid what has been a largely disappointing start to the on-field campaign. “A string of poor performances and unacceptable results led to the board making the decision to relieve Jack Ross of his position as Head Coach.
    “Such actions are never taken lightly and, as a board, we took a period of reflection and information gathering after Sunday’s game before coming to our decision. “This has been a horrendous run of results for the club and for that we apologise unreservedly to our fans.
    “However, it is my belief that the tools and infrastructure remain in place for us to achieve success on the field. This will require everyone to be united behind what we are trying to do. “In the almost four years of ownership at this club, we have achieved nearly all of our goals and objectives earlier than expected and as a board, we believe we can take things even further soon.
    “I am confident the players, staff, executive team, and board currently in place are the ones to take us forward alongside a new Head Coach.
    “As we begin the process of looking for our new Head Coach, please know this will take some time and I ask you all to remain patient and supportive.”

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