A host of Rangers legends united last night to hit back at the Celtic supporters who bought advertising space in the Sunday Herald to state that the Old Firm derby is dead and that Sunday's League Cup semi-final will see their side take on a new entity for the first time.
The Sunday Herald carried a statement paid for by an unnamed group of fans, which expressed the view that the current Rangers has no connection to the club formed in 1872 as a result of the administration and liquidation events that took place at Ibrox in 2012.
"Listen, that's just provoking things," said Alex Rae, a championship winner in 2006. "If that's what they get their kicks from on the day, maybe it will take away from their performance. Good luck to them.
"Rangers, over the years, have tried to conduct themselves in the right manner, with a bit of dignity, so it's not important what they do. What is important is how we conduct ourselves."
Bert Konterman regarded the controversial advert as something of a joke and insisted that there is no way the current Rangers side can be separated from the glories of old.
"I have seen the same in Holland at PEC Zwolle, the team I joined as a young lad," said the Dutchman.
"When I came in, it was PEC Zwolle, it was FC Zwolle when I played there and the name went back to PEC. The shirt changed a little bit as well, but, overall, it is the same club. It is the same stadium, it is the same history. You can never erase that. Of course, I feel the same way about Rangers.
"It is a nice try, but no chance. It is in the heart of the people. I think it is a bit of sarcasm. It is funny from their side."
Konterman's countryman, Ronald de Boer, did not believe the advert represented the beliefs of most followers of Celtic.
"I think only 1 per cent of people think that way," he said. "Most will be looking forward to this game."
De Boer's former manager at Ibrox, Alex McLeish, expressed the view that all Celtic fans were privately wishing that Rangers would return to the SPFL Premiership soon.
"For me, Celtic are missing Rangers," said McLeish. "A lot of people will probably be trolling me for that, but I think a lot of people will agree.
"You see empty spaces at Celtic Park. Back in the day, when Martin O'Neill was there and they had a superb team, we did too and stadiums were full every week."
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