Police Scotland have launched a probe after a Celtic supporter was caught mocking Rangers rivals with a vile Ibrox disaster taunt at yesterday’s Old Firm game.
Shocking footage circulating online has shown one Hoops fan mocking the Ibrox disaster by holding up his phone towards the Rangers supporters to display the number 66 on his screen.
The man then shows the number six twice with his fingers after putting his mobile away.
The number is in reference to the 66 Rangers fans who lost their lives in the Ibrox disaster 44 years ago in a crush after an Old Firm game on January 2, 1971.
-
-
-
-
‘It saddens me’ – Rangers star LEAVES club without chance to say goodbye and claims he ‘wasn’t afforded opp… Jonathon Moar 4 – 5 minutes He’s vowed to return to the club in the future Published: 9:50, 20 May 2025 Updated: 9:50, 20 May 2025 IT’S going to be a summer of big changes at Rangers. And one long-serving star has confirmed he’s on his way OUT of the club this summer. Rangers players celebrating with the SPFL Premiership trophy. 3 Leon Balogun won the Scottish Premiership title with RangersCredit: The Sun Leon Balogun of Rangers applauding at a football match. 3 He appears to have played his last game for the clubCredit: SNS With the US takeover of Rangers close to completion, a new sporting director in place and a new manager on the brink of being appointed, it’s going to be all things change at Ibrox. Alongside the off-field changes, there’s likely to be a significant amount of upheaval with regards to the playing squad as well. Loan star Vaclav Cerny already appears to have said his goodbye while other players’ contracts are coming to an end. One of those is veteran defender Leon Balogun. READ MORE RANGERS STORIES A popular figure with players and fans alike, the Nigeria international will turn 37 next month. He initially joined Rangers from Wigan in 2020 and went on to be a part of the side that won the Scottish Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in 2021. Balogun’s deal expired in 2022 and there was considerable surprise that he wasn’t afforded a new one. After a season with QPR, he returned to Rangers in July 2023 on a one-year contract. Despite injury setbacks and his advancing years, Balogun continued to prove himself a consistent and reliable performer. He earned another one-year contract but it looks like a third year will NOT be forthcoming. Kris Boyd says Rangers players were in SHOCK that ‘ghost goal’ against Hibs wasn’t given Balogun – who stated his desire to stay at Rangers just last week – appears to have confirmed his exit in an emotional message. The lengthy and frank post on social media also sees Balogun bemoan the fact he doesn’t believe he was afforded the opportunity to say a proper goodbye – going so far to say it SADDENS him. The defender, who has declared himself a Rangers fan, vowed ‘not to be a stranger’ in the future. On Instagram, Balogun said: “It’s that time again. “No caption could summarise all that is going through my mind as I’m writing these lines. “It’s been nothing short of an honour, a pleasure and a great, great privilege to represent this massive club – twice! “So many memories, good ones as well as a few tough ones. “But it’s the latter especially that made my love for the club grow even stronger. “The moments when we all stuck together and went again – no matter the disappointment or frustration. In these moments the club revealed what makes it most special: YOU. “The people supporting us week in week out, near and far, demanding, expecting, pushing us to do better and go for glory. “The people working for the club behind the scenes, meeting us with a smile everyday, doing their absolute best to contribute to the success of the club in their own way. You’re the heartbeat of the club and it’s been an honour to represent you! “If I would have known that the last two games of the season were my last for the club I would have made sure to say goodbye to all of you accordingly. “Unfortunately I wasn’t afforded that opportunity which saddens me as I would have liked to have walked round Ibrox one last time and returned all the love and support you’ve given me during my 2 stints. “I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I promise I won’t be a stranger. “Thank you for making me feel at home and appreciated wherever we met. “You’ve become more than just my club, you’ve become family. “And for that I will be forever grateful.” Read more on the Scottish Sun Rangers’ search for a new manager, meanwhile, is nearing a close. SunSport exclusively revealed last night that Steven Gerrard and Russell Martin are the two candidates going head-to-head to become the next Light Blues boss. Soccer player Leon Balogun in uniform, applauding. 3 Balogun posted his goodbye on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM/@LEONBALOGUN Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
4 weeks ago
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the incident and enquiries are ongoing.”
Furious football fans from all sides bashed the clip taken at Ibrox after it was posted on X.
One labelled it as “Pathetic behaviour”, while another wrote: “Banter is one thing, but that’s not banter. That’s subhuman taking joy in others dying because they supported a team they hate.”
A third encouraged the Parkhead side to ban the man: “Life ban for this scumbag @CelticFC.”
The points were shared between the Old Firm rivals to Ibrox as the match finished 1-1 on Sunday, May 4, in a game which was not short of controversy on or off the park.
Rangers slammed their own fans for the “unacceptable” tifo display before the clash at Ibrox and the supporter who threw a bottle onto the pitch.
Ahead of the game, the Copland Road stand unfurled a huge banner with a famous photo of legendary Rangers boss Graeme Souness holding a double-barrelled shot gun in the direction of the Celtic fans with the words ‘take aim against the rebel scum’.
That has angered Ibrox chiefs, with the club in the final discussions with Americans over a takeover.
A Rangers spokesperson said: “Rangers Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who threw a bottle during today’s match.
“This behaviour has no place at our stadium. Steps have already been taken to identify the person responsible, and the club will take the strongest possible action once their identity is confirmed.
“We also acknowledge that the tifo displayed prior to kick-off crossed a line and was unacceptable. Our approach to supporter displays has always been built on trust, with the responsibility placed on groups to exercise good judgement.
“We will reflect on how these displays are managed and engage with supporter groups to ensure the right balance of trust, responsibility and oversight is maintained moving forward.
“Rangers is proud of its passionate fanbase, and we all share a duty to protect the standards and reputation of our club.”
Cyriel Dessers and Adam Idah scored, with a goal from Nicolas Raskin being disallowed for offside, as both teams exited Ibrox with the share of the spoils from the 1-1 draw.
