RANGERS fans held up a banner at Ibrox ahead of the club’s Scottish Premiership match with Hearts as part of a planned protest.

The Rangers ‘ultras’ Union Bears revealed that they had planned a silent demonstration against the club’s "mismanagement" in the wake of last weekend’s Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic.

The group held up a banner reading: “No fight, no pride, nowhere to hide. Incompetent on & off the pitch. We deserve better.”

READ MORE: Rangers ultras plan silent protest over Ibrox "mismanagement"

The group then revealed another message as the teams returned for the second-half, reading: “Mindless behind the scenes, heartless on the pitch, we deserve better.”

The last three words echo a phrase that was painted on a banner and displayed at the gates to the club’s Auchenhowie training complex on Monday last week. Fans also padlocked the gates shut.

After the 2-1 victory against Hearts, Rangers manager Graeme Murty said fans were within their rights to demand "better".

He said: "The fans are fully within their rights to do what they see fit. I'd never ever go against their wishes.

"But I said to the players we had to generate an atmosphere in the changing room for ourselves."

The ultras group, which organised the controversial Goodnight Green and White banner march last month said the protest was a response to "issues at the club, at all levels" which it said "need addressed urgently", adding that "we will do everything in our power to ensure this happens".

READ MORE: Video: Hundreds join Rangers v Celtic game march in defiance of police

Rangers were beaten 4-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi final and since then stars Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace have been suspended by the club in the wake of a row with manager Graeme Murty.

Last month it emerged that a wide-ranging review of operations at the club had been launched after chairman Dave King was forced to bid £11 million for 70 per cent of the club's shares.

The bid being made by Mr King's South African-based Laird Investments (Proprietary) Limited comes after a court agreed that he and others acted together to force their way into the Ibrox boardroom three years ago.

A statement from the Union Bears in relation to the protest read: “We would like to make our position clear regarding the club in its current form.

“Issues at the club, at all levels, need addressed urgently and we will do everything in our power to ensure this happens.

“We will take action and protest in various ways in the coming weeks, months or however long required.

“We will not stand idly by as our club is being so obviously mismanaged at the highest level.

“We do not expect instant success, but we do expect progress, something which this board has failed to deliver in every aspect since taking power, despite promising the world.

“We will be attending this weekend’s match against Hearts, however we will not have a vocal presence.

“The Union Bears seek to support Rangers in a positive, colourful and vocal manner.

“However, the obvious lack of desire, fight and leadership on the pitch on Sunday is a clear sign of a much more deep rooted problem within the club.

“This decision was not taken lightly, as to support the team is our ultimate aim, however the long term security and success of our club is vital.