STV journalist Raman Bhardwaj has said that Celtic’s Scott Brown has paid tribute to Rangers fans who have supported him after he was on the end of vile abuse outside Ibrox.
Brown was leaving Ibrox after Celtic’s 2-0 win against Rangers when a 15-year-old fan made a comment about Brown’s sister, who died at the age of 21 in 2008 after a battle with skin cancer.
The 15-year-old has been charged over the incident, which was widely condemned on both sides of Glasgow.
Scott Brown says he’s been heartened by the support from Celtic and Rangers fans after being subjected to vile abuse outside Ibrox
— Raman Bhardwaj (@ramanbhardwajTV) September 12, 2019
Abuse has to stop
Football’s a game. It might be a hugely important game to a lot of people and the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers needs no detailing.
But abuse like this is beyond the pale and most Rangers fans know this went way beyond the line.
The look on Brown’s face after the comment said it all and showed what many fans often forget – that footballers are humans with feelings.
Brown has been a brilliant player for Celtic and he’s done his fair share of shenanigans on the pitch in Old Firm games, but the response from a section of Rangers fans to Brown has been really classy.
The offender was only 15-years-old and probably had no idea of the consequences of his actions, either for Brown or for himself. That’s absolutely no excuse but the widespread publicity and the response from both sets of fans can only help what’s becoming an endemic problem in the game.
Racism is rearing its ugly face again and football authorities must do everything they can to stamp out abuse. Fans can help here and the Rangers supporters should be commended for playing their part.