McCoist promises to silence sectarian bigots

ALLY MCCOIST has vowed to personally intervene if Rangers supporters are heard singing crude songs which could scupper the club’s ambitions in the SPL and Champions League.

The Rangers assistant manager joined forces with security chief Kenny Scott and Light Blues legend Sandy Jardine to urge supporters to desist from sectarian chanting in a renewed effort to improve the club’s image with UEFA and across the board.

Ibrox chiefs are aware and fearful of the potential for Rangers being docked points, fined or even thrown out of competitions due to the behaviour of supporters.

McCoist warned the fans they could cost Rangers their shot at glory if the minority continue to indulge in behaviour he insists they know is out of order.

“We’ve already had this warning from UEFA and it’s getting serious,” he said. Once you start talking about getting points deducted — it’s a hard enough job trying to win cups and win leagues as it is.

“We just can’t afford any setbacks. Obviously we’ve been threatened with fines and things like that. We can’t afford it to happen.

“You do know what’s offensive and what’s not offensive, and we have to start singing the right songs.”

After two fines from UEFA over supporter behaviour after games against Villarreal and Osasuna, Rangers are demanding their fans behave on the Champions League trip to Montenegro to face Zeta.

The second leg of the second qualifying round tie takes place on August 7.

McCoist said: “We’ve not got everything perfect, and I don’t think we ever will.

“But as long as you can be seen to be moving in the right direction and doing the right things it helps.”

He added: “Scottish football and the Old Firm have taken massive strides in an attempt to do what’s right, and they’ll continue to do that.’’

Rangers security and operations manager Kenny Scott, who came to the club in May from his previous post as chief superintendent of Strathclyde Police warned fans could be barred from attending Ibrox games for life.

“We still have the opportunity to impose indefinite bans or even lifetime bans for people who indulge in behaviour which is offensive to the club.”