There is a reason why Rangers have banned certain individuals from Ibrox, or not allowed them access on certain occasions and it has nothing to do with preventing freedom of speech or discrimination.
It is about respect. Pure and simple.
For years, and it has been years, we have had to listen to the likes of Chris Sutton, Michael Stewart, Chris McLaughlin, Graham Spiers and Andy Walker lie, mock, be derogatory, apply a one-sided set of standards that our fans have to adhere to and now, finally, the club is fighting back – and they can’t take it.
This has nothing to do with our media policy either, pay the money and you’ll get access.
Let’s have a look in more detail as to why these individuals aren’t welcome at the club and, remember, it’s not hundreds, it’s a handful of pundits and journalists who have continuously over stepped the mark.
Andy Walker
Sectarianism is a one way street with Walker, when it’s Steve Clarke or Neil Lennon is abhorrent, but when it’s Kris Boyd it’s a totally different matter and that’s before you get to his commentary skills – his obsession with Alfredo Morelos and insistence that he get sent off every week is bizarre at best.
Chris McLaughlin
The single reason why the BBC does not cover Rangers games from Ibrox. Forced to apologise on more than one occasion for inaccurate reporting from the ground, one day he took it too far and hasn’t been allowed back since, he was given fair and plenty warning.
Graham Spiers
Similar to McLaughlin, he is another individual who would make unsubstantiated claims about the club, was found out for calling Rangers cheats and has had a “Rangers bad” agenda ever since – if only he applied the same morals to convicted peadophiles Graham Rix and Craig Thomson or his good friend Malky Mackay who was sacked by Cardiff City for racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour.
Michael Stewart
A man who questioned both Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara’s claims of being the victims of racism, and even went as far as to dismiss a debate on the former’s interview – “where’s the evidence?” – by launching a bizarre attack on Rangers then PR chief, Jim Traynor. Does he honestly expect to be welcomed into the Blue Room with open arms?
Chris Sutton
Where do you start? He has spent years taunting Rangers fans, being disrespectful to Rangers managers and the club, and, of course, there is referring to Morelos as “buffalo brains“. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but when a grown adult resorts to name calling and childish behaviour, they deserve to be treated accordingly, why should staff within Ibrox have to entertain someone like Sutton or his best pal Lennon – especially when it isn’t “their” team that are playing?
This has nothing to do with the Old Firm divide or “Everyone, Anyone“, it’s about respect. Kris Boyd is never seen at Parkhead nowadays, and I can understand why, nowRangers that he has retired from playing he has shown his true colours and enjoys nothing more than winding up Celtic fans, there’s nothing wrong with that but, he hasn’t thrown his toys out of the pram when it has come back to bite him on the backside.
Rangers haven’t banned the media from Ibrox, there are loads of press allowed in on a weekly basis and not all of them are kind to the club, but they are respectful and objective in their criticisms, they don’t make stuff up or call managers and players names – they do their job professionally, unlike those mentioned above.