Simon Jordan retaliated against Rangers fans who criticized him for his recent remarks targeting the club’s handling of match postponements. The outspoken pundit urged Rangers to step down from their high horse after they condemned Dundee for repeated call-offs. In response to Gers’ accusations of ‘negligence and unprofessionalism,’ Jordan branded their reaction as ‘ridiculous, hypocritical, and uncalled for.’
Questioning Rangers’ inability to play last week due to pitch conditions at Dens Park, Jordan emphasized that while he agreed with the essence of their concerns, he found their tone off-putting. Referring to the fans as “tin-eared,” he defended his stance, underscoring the need for a more balanced approach to criticism.
Expressing his disagreement with Rangers’ confrontational statement, Jordan explained, “No one is absolving Dundee of blame for the frequent cancellations, but the manner in which Rangers addressed the issue irked me. Criticism is valid, but the manner matters.”
Regarding Rangers’ handling of fixture cancellations at Dundee, he pointed out the need for a more tempered response unless such incidents became a recurrent pattern.
In a radio appearance on talkSPORT, Jordan doubled down, asserting, “Rangers may have a point, but their self-righteous communication style takes away from it. No club is immune to scrutiny, including its fans. The key lies in how feedback is delivered.”
Reflecting on his previous remarks, Jordan touched on a perceived inconsistency in Rangers’ actions concerning fan allocations in matches against their rivals, highlighting what he saw as a noteworthy contradiction in the club’s conduct.
I’m unsure why Rangers feel the need to come off so strongly; they might be frustrated, disappointed, or simply playing up to the 4,000 fans expecting a game in Dundee. Yet, to me, their stance seems a bit absurd and hypocritical. If the issue is that they could have played the game earlier but chose not to, then their argument loses some ground. Perhaps this stems from past injustices they’ve faced in the league.
Essentially, they’re suggesting that the facilities fail to meet the standards of a Scottish Premiership club due to difficulties with weather conditions and pitch maintenance. While there may be some truth in their claims, it’s also known that clubs like Rangers get a fraction of what they truly need in terms of financial support.
Contrast this with Rangers’ position: a 50,000-seat stadium, European football, and other luxuries. From an outsider’s perspective, their complaints come off as pompous and condescending, particularly when they haven’t sorted their own house out. It seems hypocritical for Rangers to preach to others about what should be done when they themselves have lapses.
The fact that they postponed the game last week, possibly due to playing against Celtic, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. As someone who supports Rangers winning the league, respects Philippe Clement, and wishes the best for both Old Firm clubs, I find the bitterness unnecessary.
While it’s important to hold oneself in high regard, looking down upon others from a pedestal and acting superior seems excessive. While Rangers are undoubtedly a significant club, their approach appears heavy-handed and unwarranted. Their attitude might explain why many SPFL clubs have reservations towards the Old Firm.