Dear First Minister, 

I write in relation to comments made by John Swinney MSP during today's public briefing and, in particular, his commentary around Rangers Football Club and fan base. 

It is particularly disappointing that there has been a lack of acknowledgement from the Scottish Government to the wide range of efforts we undertook in recent weeks to limit public safety, but with an accurate focus on the Covid-19 pandemic and the government guidance. 

It is also particularly disappointing that John Swinney has chosen to lambast Rangers publically, given the fact that we proactively initiated engagement with Police Scotland, the SPFL, the Scottish Government as well as the local Member of Parliament. To brand us as "disgraceful" is indeed a "deep element of concern" for Rangers as we believe this narrative is not only unfair but crucially, totally inaccurate. 

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I outline below a timeline for efforts made by Rangers in recent weeks: 

February 22 - Director, Andrew Dickson, writes to SPFL and Scottish Government to undertake formal dialogue relating to Rangers winning the Scottish Premiership. 

February 23 - 24 - Managing Director, Stewart Robertson, speaks to Neil Doncaster of the SPFL and [name blanked out] of the Scottish Government.

February 26 - Head of Security, Robin Howe, meets with Police Scotland ([blank] in attendance) prior to the formal meeting outlined below. 

February 26 - Formal meeting between Rangers, Scottish Government, Police Scotland, Sky Sports and SPFL

w/c March 1 - Robin Howe engages directly with Police Scotland [blank] and [blank].

March 5 - Robin Howe, Andrew Dickson and Head of Communications, David Graham, meet with Police Scotland and Scottish Government. 

March 6 - Stewart Robertson engages with Humza Yousaf MSP

March 6 - Robin Howe has logged eight calls to [blank] to discuss and coordinate the club and police response to supporters gathering outside Ibrox stadium. Constant liaison with inspector [blank] throughout the day.

March 7 - Robin Howe has logged seven calls with [blank] to discuss police and club coordination. Furthermore, he has liaised with senior police officer throughout the day at our training complex. 

March 6 - 7 - Senior club official, Alasdair Morrison, engages with Chris Stephens MP

As you can see clearly, we have engaged with the local Member of Parliament, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, high-level police command as well as the Chief Executive of the SPFL.

I am at a loss as to what Rangers Football Club could have done to limit the reaction to winning our historic 55th league title. It has been widely accepted amongst the football family that this is one of the greatest modern-day sporting achievements and I believe that this should not be downplayed.

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Nevertheless, I acknowledge the Covid-19 pandemic and I am aware of the dangers and impact of public health and safety.

Let me be very clear, we have done everything we can as a club to limit the impact of Covid-19 within our bubble. 

You will also be aware that when players have flouted rules, we were proactive in handling the situation and ensuring that we did everything we could to maintain a level of leadership and professionalism which would be benefitting of this 150-year-old institution. 

I particularly want to draw your attention to comments made by our manager, Steven Gerrard. Not for the first time this season, our communications department liaised with the police and the Scottish Government to coordinate a strategy to utilise Steven as not only the manager of Rangers Football Club, but as a global sporting icon. 

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We agreed that it would have been arrogant to issue any public statement regarding celebrating a victory prior to us securing three crucial points versus St Mirren. Additionally, it would have been distasteful to agree a form of words prior to 2pm on Sunday, as the mathematical victory depended upon a result beyond our control. This point was acknowledged by both Police Scotland and the government. 

It was acknowledged by both the police and the Scottish Government that using Steven had a hugely positive impact and was greatly appreciated. You will note that Steven spoke on Friday in his pre-match conference to highlight that it was vital that everyone worked together to keep fans safe. Furthermore, after our win against St Mirren on Saturday, Steven reiterated that message and the impact of Covid-19 and that everyone should stay safe and maintain social distancing.

On March 6, during our game v St Mirren, our Managing Director agreed to endorse a form of words from Police Scotland and the Scottish Government. We offered that our communications department would liaise with counterparts within both organisations. The Justice Minister said he would follow up with the police, but we did not hear him again. 

I feel it necessary to draw your attention to the fact we used tannoy announcements outside Ibrox to encourage fans to disperse yesterday afternoon. We also agreed to change our regular schedule to move recovery training from Ibrox to Auchenhowie yesterday, after liaison with Police Scotland. This shows our willingness to prioritise public safety. 

To claim the "silence was deafening" from Rangers is inaccurate, unbalanced and unfair. 

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Police intelligence indicated that some fans would congregate in groups given the fact that this is not only a historic achievement but 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 not proactively engage on this matter. 

Additionally, I want to note a letter you have yet to reply to from our Managing Director on December 8, 2020, which asks why Rangers were included with Celtic in relation to fan behaviour during a press briefing.  Given the fact that John Swinney has failed to mention a wide range of other public gatherings that you did not take such a strong line on, leaves you open to criticism that there is an unbalanced approach from the Scottish Government when it comes to Rangers Football Club, which happens to be one of the largest employers in your constituency.

Furthermore, the fact that EUFA have now distanced themselves from comments made by your Justice Minister highlights further inaccuracy. This is not only disingenuous relating to Rangers but also does a great distance to Scottish sport. I am bemused as to why a government minster would proactively work against the interests of his constituents. Given we are engaged with him directly, it is with great disappointment that he would decide to follow this course of action. 

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I must reiterate my concern and displeasure of the claims the Deputy First Mistser that there is a lack of leadership at Rangers Football Club. This brings my reputation as Rangers Chairman, the reputation of the Rangers board and management team in to question. I think this is particularly disingenuous given the fact we have outlined the timeline above, and more importantly, the fact that you have failed as a constituency MSP to engage with us directly on this matter. That to me is a lack of leadership and dereliction of duty.

I trust that you both, the Deputy First Minister and the Justice Minister will clarify remarks in light of the facts now presented to you. That would allow the club's public repose, issued today, to reflect the up-to-date position ion the interests on all sides. Nothing wil be achieved through megaphone diplomacy or using Rangers as a political football. 

Lastly, as our public statement outlined today, we are ready and willing to engage with all key stakeholders on the ongoing management of public order and health and safety. However, there must be a willingness from your government to engage with us, while ensuring that your elected representatives maintain a level of balance and fairness.