Rangers vow to track down thug who threw glass bottle on to pitch during Old Firm clash … and condemn tifo display depicting Graeme Souness holding shotgun

• Bottle was launched into Viljami Sinisalo’s goalmouth after VAR decreed Adam Idah’s equaliser in 1-1 draw should stand 
• Rangers insist that steps have already been taken to track down the individual  responsible for throwing missile 
• Club also hit out at tifo depicting club icon with shotgun, which read: ‘Take aim against the rebel scum’ 

By JOHN MCGARRY

Rangers have vowed to help identify the individual who threw a glass bottle onto the field at Ibrox after Celtic equalised in the final derby of the season.

And the club condemned an ‘unacceptable’ tifo display from supporters which depicted former player-manager Graeme Souness holding a shotgun.

The bottle was launched into Viljami Sinisalo’s goalmouth shortly after VAR decreed that Adam Idah’s leveller should stand just before the hour mark.

It was just the latest incident to mar Old Firm games at Ibrox. Three years ago, a bottle smashed in Joe Hart’s goalmouth, while on the same afternoon a member of Celtic’s backroom staff required medical treatment after being struck by a missile.

In January, Arne Engels was hit by a coin which was allegedly thrown by a fan in the home section.

On Sunday night, a Rangers spokesperson said: ‘Rangers Football Club condemns the actions of the individual who threw a bottle during today’s match.

The tifo depicting Graeme Souness holding a shotgun is unfurled by fans at Ibrox before kick-off

The glass bottle that was thrown on to the pitch at Ibrox shortly after Celtic’s equaliser

Rangers  defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo picks up the bottle that was launched on to the park

‘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.’

Rangers also hit out at the tifo that was unfurled before the match in the Copland Road end of the stadium before Sunday’s game.

Under a montage depicting Souness holding a shotgun, it read: ‘Take aim against the rebel scum.’

The Ibrox club will now reconsider how such displays are vetted.

The club statement added: ‘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 judgment.

‘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.’

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Rangers vow to track down thug who threw glass bottle on to pitch during Old Firm clash … and condemn tifo display depicting Graeme Souness holding shotgun

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