THE chairman of Rangers FC has written to Nicola Sturgeon expressing concern about the narrative around the club's "silence" on fan celebrations in breach of Covid lockdown regulations.
Douglas Park outlined measures the club took to contact the Government, Police Scotland and SPFL in the weeks leading up to their title-clinching game against St Mirren on Saturday.
The club were condemned for their lack of messaging and not taking their responsibilities in terms of seeking that their fans "celebrate safely and responsibly" by Police Scotland last night.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish Government was extremely disappointed in a “lack of leadership” displayed by Rangers in not reminding fans to adhere to current coronavirus restrictions.
READ MORE: John Swinney says silence from Rangers was 'deafening' as fans gathered
Swinney also said that the "silence from Rangers was deafening" in communicating with fans about Covid restrictions.
In the letter to the First Minister, Park showed a timeline - beginning on February 22 - of Rangers reaching out to the SPFL and Scottish Government initially to open a dialogue about Rangers winning the Scottish Premiership.
More formal meetings between Rangers security head, Robin Howe, and Police Scotland and other interested parties, including the Scottish Government.
On March 6 - a day before the game that would win Rangers their 55th league title - Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson engaged with Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, and Howe made eight calls to police to "co-ordinate the Club and police" response to crowds at Ibrox. Another seven calls were made.
Park later said that: "To claim that the 'silence was deafening' from Rangers is inaccurate, unbalanced and unfair.
"Police intelligence indicated that some fans would congregate in groups given the fact that this is not only a historic achievement but also due to the behaviour from the other half of the Old Firm outside Parkhead in December. It would have been a lack of leadership to proactively engage on this matter."
Celtic fans broke coronavirus rules in December to call for their board to resign following a run of losses from the club that won the last nine league titles.
READ MORE: Police Scotland condemn Rangers over 'disgraceful' scenes after title win
Park then questioned why the First Minister had not responded to a letter from December 8, 2020 from Robertson as to why Rangers were included in a statement about fan behaviour with Celtic, but other public gatherings were not mentioned in Swinney's statement yesterday.
He said this leaves Sturgeon "open to criticism that there is an unbalanced approach from the Scottish Government".
He then added that comments made by Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf about the potential for EURO 2020 games in Scotland to be in jeopardy due to fan behaviour, had been rebuffed by organiser UEFA, which said it was "committed to holding EURO 2020 in the 12 cities originally planned".
Park finished by adding that Rangers are "ready and willing to engage with all key stakeholders on the ongoing management of public order and health and safety."
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