Rangers and the SNP – the elephant in the room.
Below is a series of tweets that I released earlier this afternoon on my personal account, @graeme818
Some kind feedback and responses were received so it is clear that the tone struck a chord with a few.
Although it doesnt read as an article, please consider the content as a series of comments as published on Twitter – Thanks:
– Rangers and the SNP – some thoughts I need to let out.
When I visited Barcelona for our Champions League game in ’07, it hit me how they were unapologetically proud of their Catalan heritage and struggles with central Spanish govt and the Franco regime, in particular.
– At the museum entrance, their club and Catalan flags stood proudly together. Inside, there is a photo of the Bears invading the pitch to celebrate the glory of our ECWC win. The significance of what followed wasn’t lost on the locals.
– Unfortunately, John Greig and his teammates were denied their moment on the pitch where Rangers supporters had defied Franco’s fascist mob and effectively, battled with them. Lo and behold, Rangers were invited back for the Joan Gamper tournament in ’74 – respect earned.
– Back to the present in Glasgow. I’m of the opinion having the best interests of Rangers is not compatible with supporting the SNP. This is not to be confused with supporting the concept of independence and self-determination for Scotland. They are not one and the same.
– SNP dont own the concept of independence and as much as I disagree as a Unionist, you can believe in indy and support Rangers. The elephant in the room in the SNP.
Following an ongoing series of lies, smears and attacks on club and fans from Sturgeon, Yousaf, Dornan, et al, some actually believe there is no problem in that party toward Rangers. Strange.
– Now the latest dribbles from a discredited MSP says keep politics out of football….with a straight face. Maybe, keep your own biased political interference out of football, especially when based on fake social media videos.
– Unionism runs through the tapestry of Rangers. To deny that, is to deny reality. The links to Ulster from Day 1, Sir John Ure Primrose, the prominence of the Union flag next to the Saltire, the Queen on the dressing room wall and the Loving Cup. The list goes on.
– Barcelona, as above, proudly Catalan and Mes Que Un Club. The museum tour led directly into the club shop where you’re encouraged to empty your wallet. Basically, everyone is welcome as long as you respect their history and heritage for which they literally fly the flag.
– I’d say the same for Ibrox. Modern Scotland dictates that a significant minority of our fans aren’t Unionists, don’t care for the Queen or NI and support Rangers as well as independence, to an extent.
– In line with Everyone, Anyone – I’d say to those you are welcome but please respect the history, heritage and culture of the club, and the generations who came before us. Just like that nod to Barca in the return game card display in ’07, we are also ‘more than a club’.
– Add in the Old Firm rivalry, it’s origins and and social history of Glasgow and the west, we aren’t just a team that plays in blue and you can’t keep politics out of football entirely.
Rangers Forever
