To be fair, the point is simple: the crowd at Ibrox can be electric, but those repetitive, sectarian chants about the IRA sap it dry. They don’t follow the flow of the game, they don’t build momentum — they just hang there like a bad note. If ejecting that particular noise means a quieter corner then so be it; I’d rather a full, united chorus than one part shouting the same dirge every time.

Whole stadium singing beats small pockets of noise

There’s nothing like the hairs-up feeling when the whole ground is singing together. You can see why people want that edge back. It doesn’t need to be a rearguard fight about policing every lyric. Change the songbook a little, encourage the terrace tunes that get everyone involved, and you’re doing more to create atmosphere than letting the same small group dominate with sectarian stuff.

Fireworks, masks and the wider crowd

Another issue is the hostility that comes with fireworks and face coverings. Those things put off families and casual fans. It’s not just about being offended; it’s about feeling unsafe or unwelcome. If people are staying away because they don’t want to stand in a place where pyros go off or folks hide their faces, that’s a real problem for the club, for matchday income and for the vibe in the ground.

Punish the guilty — but enforcement is hard

I get the argument about only punishing the guilty. Normally I’d agree. Trouble is, when people hide behind balaclavas and face coverings it becomes almost impossible to tell who’s who. You can’t distinguish between genuine regulars and the troublemakers if they’re all masked up. When fines keep landing from incidents in the same section, you start to wonder how many chances people have had. At some point the club and authorities have to be realistic about what enforcement can actually achieve.

Where we go from here

So what would I like to see? More positive stewardship of the songbook, clearer messaging about fireworks and coverings, and proper, visible action against those who bring trouble. The statement today doesn’t fill me with hope that will happen, but you can see the shape of the solution: encourage the whole stadium to sing, make the environment safe for families, and make it costly for those who persist with sectarian behaviour. Do that and the atmosphere comes back on its own.

Written by Angus1812: 15 April 2026

Tags: tactics