This piece is a response to those who had said “show us the evidence” when I had stated earlier that Rangers were unique in British football in that they were, for some reason, unable or unwilling to sign a player from the Republic of Ireland .
This reality of an RoI free team at Ibrox could be seen over many years.
In comparison the ubiquity of RoI players in all other clubs in Britain is striking.
Here I look at professional soccer clubs on the island of Britain and whether or not they have had an RoI player in their first team since the start of this decade.
The criteria for inclusion is:
Full Ireland internationalists and clubs they have played for since 2000 in competitive fixtures.
There are more Republic of Ireland players, either full or under 21 internationalists who have played for many of these clubs.
However, only one RoI player, at either full or U21 level is required to make sure that Rangers are in a category of one.
One the island of Britain there is truly is no team like the Glasgow Rangers.
All 92 English clubs from the top 4 Leagues in 2008/2009 are represented.
Premier League 2008/2009
Arsenal – Anthony Stokes
Aston Villa – Mark Kinsella
Blackburn Rovers – Steven Reid
Bolton Wanderers – Joey O’Brien
Chelsea – Damien Duff
Everton – Lee Carsley
Fulham – Steve Finnan
Hull City – Caleb Folan
Liverpool – Robbie Keane
Man City – Richard Dunne
Man Utd – Roy Keane
Middlesbrough – Keith O’Neill
Newcastle – Shay Given
Portsmouth – Andy O’Brien
Stoke City – Glenn Whelan
Sunderland – Phil Babb
Spurs – Stephen Carr
WBA – Dean Kiely
West Ham – Gary Breen
Wigan – Kevin Kilbane
Coca Cola Championship 2008/2009
Barnsley – Stephen McPhail
Birmingham City – Kenny Cunningham
Blackpool – Alan Mahon
Burnley – Alan Moore
Cardiff City – Alan Lee
Charlton Athletic – Andy Reid
Coventry City – Clinton Morrison
C Palace – Mark Kennedy
Derby County – Rory Delap
Ipswich Town – Matt Holland
Norwich City – Gary Docherty
Notts Forest – Andy Reid
Plymouth Argyle – Mickey Evans
Preston North End – Wayne Henderson
QPR – Liam Miller
Reading – Kevin Doyle
Sheffield United – Paddy Kenny
Sheffield Wednesday – Graham Kavanagh
Southampton – Darren Potter
Swansea City – Stephen O’Halloran
Watford – Stephen Kelly
Wolves – Andy Keogh
Coca Cola League 1 2008/2009
Brighton – Paul McShane
Bristol Rovers – Dave Savage
Carlisle – Ian Harte
Colchester United – Graham Barrett
Crewe Alexandra – Graham Barrett
Hartlepool United – Thomas Butler
Hereford United – Stephen Gleeson
Huddersfield United – Damien Delaney
Leeds United – Gary Kelly
Leicester City – David Connolly
Millwall – Colin Doyle
MK Dons – Keith Andrews
Northampton Town – Dave Savage
Oldham Athletic – Alex Bruce
Peterborough United – Sean St Ledger
Scunthorpe United – Joe Murphy
Southend United – Dominic Foley
Stockport County – Nick Colgan
Swindon Town – Dominic Foley
Tranmere Rovers – Jason McAteer
Walsall – Steve Staunton
Yeovil Town – Leon Best
Coca Cola League Two
AFC Bournemouth – John O’Shea
Barnet – Gary Breen
Bradford City – Colin Healy
Brentford – Stephen Hunt
Bury – Andy Keogh
Chester City – Paul Butler
Chesterfield – Jonathan Douglas
Darlington – Curtis Fleming
Gillingham – Johnathan Douglas
Grimsby Town – Wayne Henderson
Luton – Dean Kiely
Notts County – Wayne Henderson
Rochdale – Alan McLaughlin
Rotherham United – Alan Lee
Non-League clubs 2008/2009 – Some of the English non-League clubs who have had Full Ireland internationalists since 2000
Ebbsfleet
Havant and Waterlooville
Kidderminster Harriers
Lewes
Mansfield Town
Oxford United
Rushden and Diamonds
Scarborough
Under 21 Ireland internationalists and clubs they have played for since 2000 in competitive fixtures
Coca Cola Championship
Bristol City – Scott Henderson
Doncaster Rovers – Sean Thornton
Coca Cola League One
Cheltenham Town – JJ Melligan
Leyton Orient – Sean Thornton
Coca Cola League Two
Accrington Stanley – John Ryan
Aldershot Town – Owen Coll
Exeter City – Glenn Cronin
Dag and Red – Peter Gain
Lincoln City – Colin Cryan
Macclesfield – Dean Delaney
Morecambe – Henry McStay
Port Vale – Dean Delaney
Shrewsbury Town – Sean Thornton
Wycombe Wanderers – Paul McCarthy
SCOTLAND.
SPL clubs in 2008/2009 who have had Republic of Ireland internationalists since 2000 -
Aberdeen – Richie Byrne – Under 21
Celtic – Aiden McGeady – Full
Dundee United – Noel Hunt – Full
Falkirk – Graham Barrett – Full
Hamilton Accies – David Elebert – Under 21
Hibernian – Alan O’Brien – Full
Hearts – Alan Maybury – Full
Inverness Caley – Richie Foran – Under 21
Kilmarnock – Conor Sammon – Under 21
Motherwell – David Kelly – Full
St Mirren – Billy Mehmet – Under 21
As can be seen all SPL clubs since 2000 have had an RoI player either full or U21 international except Rangers.
Other Scottish clubs with full Ireland internationalists since 2000.
Airdrie United
Albion Rovers
Clydebank
Dundee
Dunfermline Athletic
Livingston
Ross County
St Johnstone
Most Scottish lower league clubs have almost an exclusive compliment of Scottish players. Many are part time and Irish players would not, for the most part, relocate for part time football in another country.
CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
Sine 1985 Republic of Ireland players have also in mainland Europe played for, amongst others -
Ajax – Frank Stapletoin
Sporting Lisbon – Phil Babb
Feyenoord – David Connolly
Marseille – Tony Cascarino
Inter Milan – Robbie Keane
Levante – Ian Harte
Real Sociedad – John Aldridge
Red Star (France) – Tony Cascarino
Lyon – Mick McCarthy
Le Havre – John Byrne
Ajax – Frank Stapleton
This list of RoI players has been drawn up to highlight the glaring omission from the list.
All SPL clubs since 2000 have a RoI player-all except one.
All 92 clubs in England have been able to source a RoI player good enough for their first team.
In fact signing RoI players would seem to be quintessentially British.
It is a bit puzzling that Rangers seem to be out of step with all the other British clubs.
The connection between the anti-Irish racism of some Rangers fans and the club’s inability to source a suitable player who wears the green of the Republic must now be taken on board by the appropriate public agencies.
It has been established in the High Court in Edinburgh that the “Famine song” is a manifestation of anti-Irish racism.
Rangers have, within their support, an anti-Irish racism problem that much is forensically established.
Much was made of the change in Rangers anti-catholic signing policy twenty years ago. The club’s first catholic captain in modern times (first ever?) Lorenzo Amoruso was taken into the hearts of the Rangers supporters.
Like clubs in England who had an anti-black racism problem in the 1970s signing black players through the 1980s did, in time, silence the racists on the terraces.
If the “Famine Song” and other manifestations of anti-Irish racism are to become a thing of the past at Ibrox along with the signing ban on Catholics then Rangers must learn to love players from the Irish Republic.
The “Famine Song” is merely a symptom of a problem. Those who sing this racist song, perhaps, feel they have some official permission from the club itself because they never have to cheer on a player from the Irish Republic in the light blue of Rangers.
That reality, like the Catholic ban pre-1989, must come to an end.
One day the Rangers supporters might not want the Irish in their team to “go home”.
When that happens Rangers, finally, will become a normal football club.
droid
A point of fact – many people in Eire who like their soccer support Man Utd. Many people from Ulster who like their football also support Man Utd. There is common ground here which does raise the following questions –
Why is there an automatic statement that any one playing for the Republic of Ireland is a Celtic supporter?
Why haven’t more ROI players been signed for the rfc first team?
How many Roman Catholics have held a rfc directorate post?
The National Anthem for my country is Flower of Scotland which I would love to hear sung at Celtic Park.
The National Flag of my country is the Saltire which is flown high above Celtic Park week in week out.
There is a good record of signing Welsh Internationals at Celtic Park.
Who knows what has been covered up at the rfc as the mainstream media would not report it.
July 26, 2011 at 9:18 pm
Ruddie
Brenda,
I’ll take the fact that you avoided the issues as guilt implied. Nice to see the old, “You’re so stupid, I can’t be bothered debating” rule still applies when you lose the argument.
Also, a joy to see that the old ‘nae kaffliks at Rangers’ line still convinces the less cerebral among you. If you took the time to do your own research into the matter, you would find otherwise, but why spoil a good yarn with pesky facts, eh? If you do decide on the research part, a round up of Protestant Celtic directors over the years and a reason for the unusally high percentage of Catholics in one workplace in a Protestant country would be nice. Only if you have the time, ‘though. Don’t push yourself.
Celtic fans don’t care about religion? Of course not. Only those guilty of the liberal use of ‘Hun’, ‘Orange bastards’, and so on I suppose? Or the whole, ‘blessing yourself is not a crime’ drivel? Juan Ghuy again? Always the minority that spoils it for the rest isn’t it. Presumably the vatican flags, scarfs with picture of the Pope on them, roaming in the gloaming, crucifixes and so on would seem to contradict your point about religious indifference at Celtic.
As you brought up the subject of introspection, perhaps you could explain what you see as the peccadiloes of your club and its fans since 1888. What do you feel are the biggest crimes thus far?
August 2, 2011 at 11:41 pm
scotslad
Don’t really see a point in this! If Rangers don’t want to sign a ROI player it’s up to them!! lol. I’m sure there isn’t many ROI players that would play for the Rangers anyway. Most of them will have ‘ra sellick leanings
July 26, 2011 at 6:49 pm
scotslad
Ruddie, you will have a hard job getting Brenda to curb his biased agenda!
July 26, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Ruddie
Brenda,
Interesting that you could only ‘challenge’ a few of my facts and even then, poorly.
You named ONE director of your club that was a Protestant; from a history of over one hundred years, that says it all.
I have no concern for Stein; couldn’t give a fuck about him. I merely highlight the fact that he was denied a directorship due to him being a Protestant. However, I’m sure you’ll have an equally resourceful, ‘mitty-esque’ way of deflection for that also – “Er, they were out of directorships that day and were just waiting for some to become available. Honest guv”.
Not concerend about the religion of your players and officials? no, of course not. As long as they are Catholics, you don’t care. From John Thompson, to Tommy Gemmell, to Berkovic and the rest inbetween, they’ve all been welcomed into the inclusion that is the ‘Celtic Family’, haven’t they?!
I wasn’t just talking about Mark Walters, shameful as it was. I’m talking about the monkey noises and gestures to Diouf and your treatment of Ian Wright and Regi Blinker. Both said that Celtic fans made racist comments to them. Juan Ghuy though, eh?
Incidentally, it wasn’t a ‘few’ idiots that threw bananas, it was thousands as well as those in the gorilla masks and outfits. Even the sainted Phil O’Donell pointed this out.
Celtic was founded to take Catholics out of Protestant soup kitchens. It was a club founded for Catholics. End of story.
Songs? “Soon there’ll be no protestants at all”. That one ring any bells? coupled with the continued drivel for the IRA (a sectarian organisation invested in the killing of Protestants). “Cheer up …… what can it mean to be a sad orange bastard”, or the witty, “Go home, ya Huns”. Coupled with your continual dirge aimed at The Queen who, as Head of the Church of England, by denigrating her, you also denigrate the religion and its followers. However, I expect your predictable response that all this is merely ‘political’ and not ‘sectarian’. Whatever works, eh?
I’ve never seen one Union Flag at parkhead, certainly none in the stands. Tell you what Brenda, as an experiment, you take one into the next home game, wave it about and sing the country’s national anthem and report back in six months (after you come out of your coma) and regale me with the police incident report of what happened to you.
I would imagine that any comparison between Rangers and Celtic in terms of who are the ‘worst’ would conclude that there was little between them. The reason I bothered to come on here was to put Philpott right about a few things. You lot seem to think you have some sort of moral highground and that your actions are political or historical merely because YOU perceive them thus. Sorry to tell you this, but that’s not the way the real-world works. At least Ranmgers fans don’t go around trying to make morality a byword for thier fan’s behaviour. The majority of Rangers fans give less than a shit what comes out of Parkhead. The problem is, you lot cannot accept that Rangers are the dominant force at the moment in an era with no money when Celtic should have, but failed to, put years between the two. Your countinual appeals to FIFA, UEFA, Fare, the SFA and probably the Moonies, to try to get Rangers into trouble and out of Europe seems to be the only way that you can deflect from the mire of your own choosing. It’s not Rangers fault you have a ‘questionable’ past (it’s all documented in the ‘Iftheyknowthierhistory’ blog online incidentally), or that you have spent a fortune on shit which looks to have gained you the Scottish Cup and nothing else. Don’t blame Rangers. Blame the deflectors closer to home, Liewell, Reid, Lemon et al. You’ll feel better for it.
July 26, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Brendan
Oh Shucks Ruddie – thanks for coming on here to put myself and other right – suppose I should doth my cap and thank you for letting me settle in your land at the same time, how ungrateful am I eh? – dickhead
I tried to follow any semblance of an arguement but it’s just the usual mix of bile and nonsense passed as facts from a balanced mind of course….
You know what Ruddie I usually try to acknowledge where my club or its support get it wrong and their are many posts to that effect on here but to hear your nonsense – not a line of humility, not a line of reflection just that UEFA, FIFA & FARE are clearly populated with tims with an agenda – I just can’t be arsed with the hard work on the terminally dim. Honestly I had to pick myself off the floor for that one. And they call Celtic supporters paranoid..
You don’t get it do you – we don’t care about the religion of our heroes and if you don’t mind I’ll pass on the lecture from a supporter of a club that for many many years would not let a Catholic through the door as a player never mind Director son….
I am not an apologist for the current board – I think they have acted with shameful complacency, as you lot beg for cash – we should have out you in the grubber for many years to come, but maybe both management teams know that rivalry is good for business even the kind you promulgate…
I’ll also pass on the balanced history lesson if you don’t mind Ruddie, what kind of saddo reads up on an empirical (ha ha) account of the teams he loathes. You need to get our more mate it’s a big world…
Anyway enjoy the match tonight amd mind your singing – don’t want anymore of those European Tims with an agenda getting any more amunition do we Ruddie?
Nurse!
Brendan
July 26, 2011 at 6:29 pm
bhoyo67
Did the paddingtons sign a young GAA man a couple of weeks ago
don’t know if he has any involvment with the ROI,maybe it’s just to keep UEFA of their backs.
July 15, 2011 at 11:41 am
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
What would be newsworthy would be for RFC to sign a “first team starter” who plays for ROI.
July 15, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Simmy
Do you think a first team starter for ROI would want to play for Rangers though? Especially now.
July 15, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Why not?
If the club and the fans were welcoming.
The sky didnt fall in when Maurice Johnston signed in 1989.
July 15, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Simmy
I believe the club would be welcoming and the majority of fans would be fine with it. There will be the staunch loyalists who aren’t happy with it, and if they stopped going to Ibrox as a result then good riddance! I was pretty young when Johnston signed, though I remember being accosted by some Celtic fans due to my “Super Mo” Red white and blue facepaint. I didn’t realise it was a big deal, all I knew is we signed a new player. James McCarthy had the option to sign for Rangers and declined, which is a shame. Quite a few ROI players also appear to be boy hood Celtic fans so even taking away the religious element, they may not want to turn out for their rivals. Personally I welcome any player of any nationality or creed…..as long as he’s good enough
July 15, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Andy
Tell you what, why don’t you give Robbie Keane or Damien Duff, or Stephen Carr, or Shay Given, or anyone else who’s an ROI “first-teamer” a call and sound them out about a move to Rangers, hypothetically.
My guess is they’d tell you exactly where to go. Me, personally, I’d love to see Stephen Ireland join Rangers, he is one of my favorite players and I was gutted when he left Man City, the team I follow down south, as he was definitely one of our best players. But how likely do you think that is, with all the money he’s on in the Premier League and, given that he’s already pissed off ROI fans by refusing international call-ups; might a move to the “big, bad, anti-catholic, anti-irish Rangers” be the straw that breaks the camel’s back?
You seem to have all the answers Phil, given you do little else but talk about Rangers, why don’t you suggest a couple of realistic ROI players for Rangers to sign for the “first team”? I’ve given you two names I’d have liked, Rooney and Ireland, you got any more? St Ledger’s chosen Leicester, having said he wanted to go to Celtic, anyone else? And why the obsession with signing an ROI player for us? If they’re good enough, and want to join, then they’ll play for us, that goes for any player, of any nationality.
You also seem incapable of blaming anyone but Rangers for Celtic’s misfortunes. It’s what’s called being an exceptionally poor loser and the fact that you seem to have bought in to a conspiracy theory surrounding Celtic and referees leaves me very disappointed in you as a journalist, surely an educated man could see past this claptrap, but sadly not in this case, it would appear. Where were your deafening cries of “conspiracy, conspiracy!” when Celtic were winning the league under Strachan? Surely the establishment didn’t just take a break from screwing Celtic, did they? Or did Celtic triumph in the face of adversity?, good finally overcoming evil? If that’s what you actually believe, then you need to get a grip of yourself, seriously.
July 21, 2011 at 1:17 am
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
It is interesting that you select Stephen Ireland.
Stephen is a very fine footballer, but he has very publicly stated that he does not want to play for his country.
Is that what makes him acceptable?
Is he acceptable for RFC in your eyes because he does not regularly stand to attention for Amhrann na bhFiann as the tricolour flutters?
July 21, 2011 at 7:36 am
Andy
“if the club and the fans are welcoming”
I would certainly welcome any ROI player, provided he was good enough and wanted to play for Rangers, would you support this player when he was playing for the ROI? Would the rest of the ROI fans do so?
Given the dog’s abuse meted out to Rangers players on international duty in Dublin, I would highly doubt them taking “one of their own” joining the enemy lying down. What are your thoughts on that Phil?
July 21, 2011 at 1:23 am
NelsonRFC82
Phil,
Andy has stated that Stephen Ireland is one of his favourite players, so logically that may be why he chose to suggest him as a Rangers signing.
An interesting glimpse in to your mindset that you choose to ignore this and insinuate it is to do with him delcaring he doesn’t want to play for ROI?
Also, why must Rangers sign an ROI international? They have Irish players on their books already. Not an expert on racism but pretty sure if you have a hatred towards a country and it’s people it doesn’t only start when that person becomes an international sportsman?
July 21, 2011 at 8:59 am
Andy
I could give less of a shiny shit if Stephen Ireland wants to play for the ROI or not.
I find it interesting that that’s all you took from my post, it was pretty long, i thought it made some decent points and all you took from it was, Stephen Ireland doesn’t play for the ROI that’s the only reason I’d want to sign him. Did you forget the fact I also mentioned Adam Rooney and Sean St Ledger in the same post?
What absolute tosh, as you know, I stated he is one of my favorite players, when he had his breakthrough season at City and was beaten to the Young player of the year award by Agbonlahor i thought it was a travesty, he was clearly the best that year. The reason I’d want him at Rangers is his undoubted talent, but I get the feeling I could say this til I’m blue in the face (pardon the pun) and you wouldn’t listen, you seem to just want to paint me and anyone else that follows Rangers as a bigot, sad really.
I’ll say it again, just incase it hasn’t quite sunk into the noggin yet, I don’t care what nationality a player is, as long as he’s good enough, priced reasonably and wants to play for Rangers.
July 25, 2011 at 2:35 am
Andy
I also find it interesting that you seem to have skipped right over my questions about who we could realistically sign and your views on the abuse meted out to Rangers players on international duty at ROI games, so i’ll repeat them,
Who can we, realistically, sign ROI-wise?
What are your views on the abuse dished out to Rangers players on international duty?
July 25, 2011 at 2:39 am
Ruddie
How many Catholic Celtic managers won the European Cup and were then made Pools agents instead of director? – None. Only Protestants suffer this ignominy.
How many Protestants have been directors of Celtic? – None.
What’s the proportion of Protestant Celtic players compared to the relative percentage of the population? – Way below what it should be.
What club was foundedfor the SOLE benefit/preserve of Catholics? – Celtic.
What club routinely sings songs calling for the extermination of Protestants and sings sectarion songs against the Head of the Church of England? – Celtic.
What club throws bananas at black players and makes monkey gestures at them? – Celtic.
What club covered up systematic child abuse? – Celtic.
What club cannot fly the flag of it’s own country at its stadium? – Celtic.
What club cannot welcome it’s own countries armed forces? – Celtic.
What club cannot maintain a minute’s silenceon Rememberance Day? – Celtic.
Next time you feel like throwing stones around, try to ensure you are outwith the glass house.
July 14, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Brendan
Feel better Ruddie – now you have that subjective, error strewn nonsense off your chest – You really do need to hold your “facts” up to even a small measure of scutiny before indulging in presenting your meagre knowledge as some kind of credible authority
If you were to do so with even a semi open mind you would have to acknowledge most of your drivel is of a mittyesque quality.
Your concern for the late magnificent Jock Stein is admirable were it not for the fact that you and your type probably also sing about him knowing something…so just drop that one please.
There have been protestant directors of our football club matey – I give you David Smith, I am also not aware (nor do I care) if our new Chairman, Iain Bankier is Catholic.
This may surprise you bub but unlike you we are not remotely concerned about the religious persuasion of our players and officals.
You clearly cant see beyond the flag of a “foreign nation” to see that Celtic does and always has flown the Union Jack on the North Stand as well as the Lion Rampant and the flag of other nations…
Routinely singing songs about protestants? example please of anti protestant songs you would routinely hear at Celtic park?
Set up for Catholics – check your history bub, for the poor son many of whom happened to be Catholic
Where you have a point is over the disgraceful treatment of Mark Walters – I was there that day and I felt shame at the few idiots who threw them onto the pitch. These idiots did not represent me or our inclusive club. Nor would they now.
I don’t know very much about the abuse of young boys at Celtic in the 70′s but were it so, it would be shameful, no other words to describe it…no defence, apalling
But really Ruddie…. you are clearly on the attack as a best means of defence, cos if we wanted to list your fans or your clubs abysmal records there really would be no competition now would there
One last question – Are you WATP in disguise?
Let’s face it the world now really knows Scotland shame and you can’t hack that bub
July 15, 2011 at 12:34 am
Simmy
Alex Stevenson, Alex Craig, James Lowry McAuley all born in ROI, all played for Rangers. Oh, you’ve narrowed it down to the last ten years? I take it they’ve signed players of every nationality since then? Seeing the treatment NI players get for joining Celtic, and Mo JOhnston being branded a “Judas” no wonder players from ROI aren’t willing to join Rangers. Also, how many players from ROI state that they want to play for Rangers? The majority of them appear to be boyhood Celtic fans (unlike Robbie keane who’s a boyhood where’s the money fan, insert shirt I wore as a child here).
February 2, 2011 at 9:35 am
Ian
Those 3 rangers players were born in Ireland before it was a republic. So they can can/could claim to be British.
April 28, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Chris
Just to point out, we’ve had 3 Players born in ROI, and only one welsh player. Does my club have a signing policy against welsh players also?
January 29, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
Chris. How many ROI internationals have been in the RFC first team since 1950?
February 2, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Chris
Phil, how many welsh players have played forbrangers since 1950? Whats your point? Why would it matter?
February 2, 2011 at 4:45 pm
david macmillan
just to let you know , the rangers have tried to sign eire players , ray houghton being one , but they feared a backlash from the tattie munchers ,in their own communities ! ! ! we,re not bigots , look in the mirror
March 17, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Tony
“We’re not bigots.” In the very same comment, you use the term “tattie munchers.” Explain how this is a non-racist term for people from Ireland, please.
February 3, 2011 at 2:33 am
Dave
Sorry I forgot to add to my last comment that I didn’t actually mean that Rangers F.C are Anti-Irish because David Murray in all fairness to him has really pushed Rangers in the right direction in terms of fighting any -isms that stem from the RFC supporters, I meant that the background of the club and a section of fans are Anti-Irish and they will pass it on to their children, I’m sure Smith or McCoist if they were management at a different club wouldn’t pass up a good ROI player.
September 1, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Dave
I think that what this article states is pure sense and no-one not Rangers nor Celtic can deny.
It is a stone cold fact that Rangers are associated with the protestant loyalist communities of both Northern Ireland and Scotland and thus that breeds contempt for Republic of Ireland players due to their background. Rangers have been found guilty of sectarianist chanting more than once,everyone saw what happened when Rangers signed Kenny Miller the second time round; so imagine if they signed Robbie Keane or Damien Duff both of who are Celtic supporters, they would lose a lot of support. What I’m trying to say is that whether or not you like it Rangers are an Anti-Irish club and will continue to be for many years, I suspect they will never sign an ROI player in my lifetime.
September 1, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Meg
Josh, why would UEFA and FIFA have any interest in dictating which religion, race, or creed teams must employ? They would have no right to interfere unless the team had clearly been discriminating against a religion, which Rangers had not been (see John Spencer and other Catholics who played for Rangers at the time).
Signing MoJo was much needed and high time – there is no room for religion in sport at any level, some would also say in education too but that’s a different matter. I am of the belief that MoJo was good enough and that’s why he was signed. Sadly there are people today, both protestant and catholic, who still cannot stand what happened. Many Celtic fans and even catholics who don’t follow football called for the man to be excommunicated for goodness’ sake! What message does that send to other catholics who might have signed for Rangers otherwise? That they are somehow traitors? It happened a long time ago. I think society needs to move on and stop paying the numpties on both sides so much creedence.
July 13, 2009 at 11:39 am
josh irons
The only reason that the ranjurs signed mojo was because fifa and uefa were sniffing about them regarding the signing policy and murray knew his tea was out if he had no catholics in the team thus the signing of mojo… It was about money from the european games that was the reason.
July 8, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Paul
Can you tell me where it states in the SFA/SPL/EFL/EPL?UEFA/FIFA rulebook that every club must have a ROI player ?
Do you want me to tell you ?
June 28, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Reb
sandy chugg,carrick and john mcdowall and icf attacking the protest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HkYfmCp8OA
the famine song is back and no arrests made http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4beiPozVeTo&feature=channel
this should be publicised more instead republicains will be slated in the press.
June 27, 2009 at 12:53 pm
mikey
So 92 clubs in england and all SPL clubs have had a ROI player and Rangers havent.
Rangers are also the only club to consistently sing anti irish songs. But of course Rangers are not anti irish,its just a coincidence!!!
June 25, 2009 at 4:20 pm