Safety warning to Rangers fans

The Ibrox club were drawn in Group D

Rangers fans are being advised not to travel to Istanbul after the club drew Galatasary in the Champions League.

Friday's draw - which paired the Scottish champions with the Turkish side in Group D - immediately sparked security fears for fans.

This follows the death of two Leeds supporters in the violence which erupted before their club's clash with the Turkish club earlier this year.

Rangers are sending out their security expert to weigh up the situation - but the Turkish champions have pledged there will be no repeat of last season's violence.

Tugay Kerimoglu signed from the Turkish side

Rangers' Campbell Ogilvie said all the club's Champions League matches - which will also see the club face Monaco and Sturm Graz - would be treated as high security for travelling fans.

And operations executive Laurence MacIntyre is hoping that midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu, who signed from Galatasary, will help smooth out any potential problems.

"This tie, like so many others, presents tremendous challenges but my procedure certainly in these early moments after the draw won't change," said Mr MacIntyre.

"I have already made contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and I will follow this up by speaking with the British Consul in Istanbul.

'Stay at home'

"I will visit Turkey and have a meeting with the British Consul, the local police and Galatasary Football Club."

However, John Macmillan of the Rangers Supporters Club said: "My advice would initially be to maybe stay at home.

"But I realise that fans want to travel. That's the reality of the situation.

"I would urge them to pay due attention to all the rules and regulations as laid down by Rangers Football Club and the authorities, and hopefully everything will be okay."