THE UNION Bears have certainly split the Ibrox support with their actions at the weekend.
The Rangers fan group staged a walkout protest during the team’s game against St Johnstone at the weekend.
The Union Bears staged a protest and held up banners during the St Johnstone game[/caption]
Some remained in their seats and booed those who left[/caption]
Fans gather outside the stadium after leaving on 55 minutes[/caption]
After 55 minutes they collectively stood up and made their way to the stadium exits but they were BOOED by many of the remaining fans inside the ground.
They have vowed to push for “real change” and insist they will keep the pressure on the board until that happens.
On the park, Philippe Clement‘s men won 3-1 against the Perth Saints thanks to first half goals from Hamza Igamane, Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande.
But off the park, Clement and the board’s relationship with the supporters is the worst it has ever been.
Nonetheless, the feeling from many inside and outside Ibrox is that the Union Bears’ protest will do more harm than good.
However, Rangers cult hero Andy Halliday has sent a warning to those who are criticising the ultras.
He pointed to their previous protestations against Mike Ashley in 2015 midst of his messy involvement with the club.
Halliday said that proved they were on the right side of history – and it could happen again.
Speaking on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard programme, Halliday spoke to how many Gers fans of a certain age (many of whom make up the Union Bears) missed out on the glory days of nine-in-a-row due to being too young or not being born, and are desperate for success like that to return.
He said in their defence: “A lot of this younger generation want to experience the memories that you experienced, and they feel as if they are being let down by the way the club is being run in the background, as if they are falling short of the standard, so that is where the protest has been.
“One thing I will say is I vividly remember Philippe Clement saying in some of his messaging in his early press conferences that he wanted to bring back that synergy between the fans and the players. I don’t think it has been as fractured as this for a long period of time.
“I think that is where a lot of the frustration you see comes from, the so-called younger generation comes from.”
He then expanded on his point and brought up how the Union Bears were rounded on when they were outspoken in their disapproval of Ashley becoming involved with the Glasgow giants.
Indeed, he was on the pitch the day they protested against the Sports Direct tycoon’s impending arrival as a shareholder.
Asked about the impact of the protests on the players, Halliday said: “A lot of them that have an understanding of the club and have been there for a long period of time would certainly understand why people are frustrated.
“Philippe Clement has consistently said that he is frustrated and he can understand why the fans are frustrated. I think the players would understand the meaning behind it.
“Listen, I remember in 2015 that the Union Bears were criticised for protesting against Mike Ashley, and I think a lot of people that criticised them then are on the wrong side of history now.
“I’ve got a funny feeling that it might be the same again.”
Andy Halliday spoke out in defence of the Union Bears[/caption]
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