Murray critical of fans' 'bile'

Murray was addressing Rangers' annual meeting in Glasgow

Rangers chairman Sir David Murray has called on supporters to help rid the club of a minority of fans who persist in spouting sectarian "bile".

Murray, who was speaking at the club's annual meeting, urged fans to adopt self-policing and said many of the club's problems were self-inflicted.

"We have people involved with this club who put bile - that's the word for it - on websites every day," said Murray.

"All we are doing is playing into the hands of the media."

Rangers fans were criticised after rioting took place in Manchester during May's Uefa Cup final.

Uefa, in 2006, had also imposed a £13,300 fine on the Glasgow club for discriminatory chanting and singing by their fans.

And, most recently, Irish diplomats raised concerns with the Scottish Government over chants by Rangers fans at the 31 August Old Firm derby against Celtic.

Report: Rangers fans comment on the club's annual general meeting

"I've repeatedly said that Scotland's shame is not sectarianism - it's drugs and obesity," added Murray.

"In the 20 years I've been at this club, there has been a vast, vast improvement on the behaviour of sectarianism at the club.

"Then we don't help ourselves by giving people stuff on a daily basis.

"But all the problems with Scottish sectarianism should not be just put at the feet of Rangers Football Club.

"I intend to take that up with the First Minister Alex Salmond again when I see him in the next week."

Murray also responded to shareholders' concerns that Rangers do not do enough to defend their fans.

"Yes, you can argue that we don't defend ourselves but we have supporters - even on the day of the UEFA Cup final - criticising the management and players," he said.

"Some people who are supposedly supporters need to have a hard look at themselves.

"Not all of our supporters are pulling in the right direction and they give the media it on a plate."

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