Michael Stewart says Rangers don't help sectarian issues amongst their fans by using orange strips.

UEFA announced yesterday the Ibrox club have been punished for a section of supporters singing sectarian songs against St Joseph's in July's Europa League qualifier.

The Light Blues will now be without 3000 fans at Ibrox for the Europa League return leg against Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.

BBC pundit Stewart says he sympathises with the majority of Rangers fans who want to support their team, but believes the club can do more to improve the situation by taking the orange kits off the shelves because of the negative connotations they entail.

Rangers started using orange kits to pay tribute to Dick Advocaat's famous team that included club legends Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Bert Konterman, Arthur Numan, Fernando Ricksen, Ronald and Frank de Boer.

Jordan Jones (right) takes on Ross McCrorie

Former Gers pair Billy Dodds and Derek Ferguson challenged Stewart on the controversial subject, with Ferguson insisting the orange kits do not have any negative undertones.

Here's the full debate the trio had on Sportsound:


Stewart: Steven Gerrard says they have the reputation for being the best fans in the world, well I'm sorry that's not the case.

Yes they go and follow in their numbers and they should be applauded for that. But when you talk about the grand picture of best supporters in the world, you can't get into antics like this and Rangers have been involved in this for a very long time. You can't class a support that does this as one of the best in the world. That tarnishes their reputation.

We talk about what else the club can do, but in my opinion it doesn't help when the club sells orange strips or orange kits. What has orange got to do with Rangers Football Club? Other than playing up to that minority that want to partake in that sectarian behaviour. I don't see how that helps the suggestion.

Dodds: Well in my day, the orange was for the Dutch players playing at the club. The Rangers supporters can trace it back to that as well. I know where you are going with that one, it's the same subject of course.

Stewart: How many Dutch players are in the Rangers team?

Dodds: I know, I know but the Rangers fans will say to you, the club had the most successful term when the Dutch players were there and the Dutch manager. They'll come up with some excuse why they are using orange strips.

Stewart: That's exactly it for me. We can all skirt around it. But we say 'what more can the club do?' My suggestions is we all know there are other connotations for that and there are no Dutch players in the team, why do it now?

Ferguson: That's got nothing to do with it, that's just in respect and Doddsy got it spot on, that's the Dutch boys. In my day, when I was at Rangers. We didn't have orange tops, that influence came from the Dutch boys. That's the sole reason.

Stewart: To not recognise the connotations that has with no Dutch players being at the club and you think about 'what more can the club do?'.

Well if you're not going to put out orange strips, I don't think anybody will say 'why are we not respecting the Dutch players from a generation a go'. So for the connotations that has now, it clearly doesn't help the situation. To say it's purely down to the Dutch players. Even if you take that at face value, what benefit is that having to the whole debate we are having right now.

Ferguson: I just think it's petty what you have come up with Michael.

Stewart: It's not petty.

Ferguson: I've got my own opinion, I think it is petty. From the orange strips, I just think that's in respect to the Dutch boys. Rangers are a family and we don't forget. I am involved in Rangers legends games and I absolutely love getting together with the Dutch boys. They were at Rangers when it was a special time when Rangers were winning that nine-in-a-row. They were on that journey.

Stewart: But do you recognise that connotation that has now?

Ferguson: No, I don't. No.

Stewart: You don't?

Ferguson: Because you are wanting to take it in a different direction.

Stewart: That's what we're talking about. That's the exact topic we are discussing.

Ferguson: If you want to take it in that direction, I am giving you my opinion Michael. It's a marketing ploy by Rangers in respect to the Dutch players. That's what I think. It never even crossed my mind so there you go.

Stewart: But you don't think it crosses the mind to a section of the Rangers support?

Ferguson: I don't no, I can't read minds Michael.

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