Charity doesn’t start at home

Following the postponement in the SFL away fixture to Elgin City, it was the turn of the hosts to turn visitors in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
Goals from Dean Shiels, Kevin Kyle, and Kai Naismith insured easy safe passage to the fifth round infront of the Ibrox faithful.

The subsequent fifth round draw has afforded the Light Blues a tasty encounter against Dundee United at Tannadice.

As news broke of the draw, Rangers were quick to reject Dundee’s appeal to exempt their entitled share of revenue generated from tickets sales of the cup-tie, stating that feelings between the two clubs ‘remain raw’.

The Scottish FA, are due 5% of ticket revenues of Scottish Cup ties, thereafter, Scottish Cup rules state that the host club, in this case Dundee, are eligible to deduct 20% to cover expenses, with the remainder split 50-50 between the two contesting clubs.

Despite this, the Ger’s in taking their allowance from United will then donate it to charity.

Rangers chief executive Charles Green said:

"The club was contacted by Dundee United requesting us to waive our rights to the share of the gate under Cup Competition Rule 46(c), this was declined.

"It has been decided by the board that any proceeds from gate receipts due to the club will be donated to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice Brick by Brick Appeal and Erskine charities via the Rangers Charity Foundation."

Many Gers fans have a less than desirable opinion of Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson, who was staunchly opposed to the admittance of the new Rangers to the SPL over the summer.

However, the Dundee United Supporters Club stated: ArabTRUST and The Federation of Dundee United Supporters Clubs said they were "disappointed" at Rangers' stance, adding: "It's sad that some parties choose to refer to past alleged indiscretions against their club as an excuse to not attend the match."

This came after Rangers Chairman Green said on Tuesday: "Everyone at this club is dismayed at the actions of certain SPL clubs, which were actively engaged in trying to harm Rangers when we were in a perilous situation and we are acutely aware of their attitude to us."

Nevertheless, this will no doubt be a fiery affair at Tannadice as the former SPL rivals, meet for the first time since Rangers were demoted to the third tier of Scottish football.

Rangers will feel of course that they have every chance of gaining a result at Dundee United; the game is to be screened live on Sky in early February of next year.