McGarvey: Bigotry must be rooted out

Frank McGarvey believes UEFA’s decision to clear Rangers of “discriminatory chants” should serve as a wake-up call to Scotland.

The former Celtic player felt the full force of UEFA in 1984 when they ordered their European Cup Winners’ Cup tie against Rapid Vienna to be replayed after a bottle was thrown at one of the Rapid players.

UEFA’s decision to clear Rangers did not stop chairman David Murray from hitting out at the bigots, and McGarvey agrees that sectarianism is still rife.

“David Murray is right to speak out because that’s the truth,” he said.

“This has be made public because it happens in all grounds in Scotland. It’s everywhere still.

“It’s more prevalent in the west of Scotland but we have got to understand that it is still a problem here.

“I’ve heard about UEFA closing down parts of grounds and other actions but if fans are going to act like this then they deserve all they get.

“They should be supporting their own team and not shouting obscene things at rival fans.

“Bigotry is a disease and it’s got to be rooted out. Scotland is a lovely place but it’s rife here still.

“It’s got better but it has to be rooted out because it is not going to be tolerated by UEFA anymore.

“But why has it taken so long? It should have been stamped out in 1906 and not 2006.

“The Scottish parliament have been getting involved, which I am delighted about.

“Rangers have been given a fright despite being found not guilty but it’s a wake-up call, not just for Rangers, but for every club in Scotland.

“It’s either stamp it out or face the consequences.”

Rangers were fined £9,000 (€13,000) after a window on the Villarreal team bus was smashed.

But McGarvey believes the club and its decent fans should not be punished by the actions of the minority.

Rapid Vienna took advantage of their reprieve in 1984 to go all the way the final, before losing to Everton.

That controversy still angers McGarvey, who has urged fans to shop those who step out of line.

“If a few fans are rowdy I don’t think clubs should be fined,” he added.

“It was a £9,000 (€13,000) fine for smashing a window on the bus, but that’s because one person has had too much to drink.

“One person has brought Rangers’ name down. Rangers and Celtic fans are mostly the best in the world but everyone has their bad fans. The good ones need to force the bad ones out.

“A few fans against Rapid Vienna probably cost us a European trophy.

“They got to the final and got beat by Everton, but we beat them fair and square.

“A few fans brought the name down of Celtic down that night and I hope they still regret it.”