Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke has told talkSPORT he is happy to take the heat for speaking out against sectarian abuse if it helps erase it from the Scottish game.Clarkes passionate and public condemnation of Rangers fans has been one of the weeks biggest talking points, after he was the target of abuse from the Ibrox crowd.Chants of sad Fenian b*****d were heard around the ground during Wednesday’s Scottish Cup replay, which ended in a 5-0 win for the Gers.
2talkSPORT hosts react to Steve Clarke abuse
- Alan Brazil slams Rangers fans who hurled sectarian abuse at Killie boss
- Jim White urges Rangers and Celtic urged to help rid Scottish football of sectarian scum
But, joining talkSPORT for an exclusive interview on Friday, Clarke insists people can no longer turn a blind eye to the issue and that it should be stamped out of society for good.The reaction for me has been overwhelmingly positive, the Kilmarnock boss told Jim White.Ive had a lot of good messages and support from people from within the game, friends, people I dont even know, Rangers supporters all across the board the support had been overwhelming and Im delighted with that.The chant I heard, theres no place for it in society in my opinion. Straight away Rangers as a club came out and denounced it, the SFA have come out, a lot of people are talking about it.
Strong statement from @RangersFC chairman Dave King. pic.twitter.com/tJ2CvSt19N— Jim White (@JimWhite) February 22, 2019Im sure its going to cause me a few problems over the coming days, weeks and months, but one of the reasons I spoke out against it is that I think, in this day and age, its something we shouldnt just accept and turn a blind eye to.Clarke also had a message for those who accused him of double standards and hypocrisy, having spoken out against the abuse he suffered but not the abuse Killie player Kris Boyd suffered just a few days earlier against Celtic.Former Rangers striker Boyd was struck by a coin and reportedly branded a fat orange b****d at Rugby Park by some travelling Bhoys fans.
2MORE: Rangers boss Steven Gerrard asks why Clarke did not highlight Boyd abuse
But Clarke explained: When I went up to do the press after the Celtic game, obviously a lot of the talk for me was the last minute goal and the crowd celebrations, but I was never ever told by anybody at that time that Kris had been struck by a coin and abused in a sectarian manner.After that, when I did my pre-match conference before the Rangers games, I addressed the issue. I spoke about the silent majority having to be the ones who speak against the mindless minority of people who are causing these issues at game.So I dont think its fair to level that one at me, its not a fair accusation.Its also symptomatic that if you speak out against one club you have to automatically speak out against the other club. Kris Boyd was abused by Celtic supporters and that is completely wrong, I was abused by Rangers supporters and that was completely wrong, but its also symptomatic of the issues we still have here, unfortunately, in this day and age on the west coast of Scotland.The issue was, for me, that if I didnt speak out about it, then the 200 fans who were signing against me on Wednesday night at Ibrox, maybe next time it becomes 2,000, and then it goes to 10,000, then 20,000 and suddenly youre back to the bad old days when the whole stadium was signing it, and that wouldnt be correct.
Listen back to talkSPORT exclusive interview with Steve Clarke IN FULL above
Chelsea transfer news: Blues demanding at least £60million for Willian as Paris Saint-Germain plot deadline Neymar is out of action for 10 weeks and PSG want to bring in Willian as cover. Jan 31
Chelsea news live: €60m star that could help Hazard, Gary
MISCONDUCT The German ran to Reds goalkeeper Alisson Becker after Divock Origi scored the winning goal in the sixth minute of stoppage-time Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been charged for running on to the pitch when he celebrated his side's Merseyside derby winner on Sunday.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers defends Jurgen Klopp's wild
LONDON: Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has apologised to the club's supporters after the London club were relegated from the Premier League following a 4-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday. Needing at least a point to extend their battle against the drop, there was a glimmer of hope with the score 1-1 at halftime.
Fulham relegated: Cottagers owner Shahid Khan apologises to
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as the interim replacement for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United until the end of the season. Mourinho was sacked by United on Tuesday after a torrid first
Ole Gunnar Solskjær - Wikipedia
Juventus have revealed their new home kit for the upcoming 2019/20 season, and the design has certainly divided the opinion of fans. The black and white stripes which have been synonymous with the
Adidas Juventus 19-20 Training Kits Leaked - Footy Headlines
Manchester United and Man City are both interested in Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix who has been dubbed as the next Cristiano Ronaldo. They, along with Chelsea and Liverpool, have reportedly sent
~ Liverpool transfer news: Reds have £62m bid for Benfica
Jurgen Klopp has failed to rule out the possibility of leaving Liverpool for Bayern Munich if the timing is right. Bayern boss Niko Kovac is under pressure despite leading his side to the highest of the Bundesliga with a 5-0 win over Klopp's former club Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp Refuses To Rule Out Liverpool Exit
liverpoollatestnews.com/jurgen-klopp-refuses-to-rule-out-liverpool-exit-141992/
Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is ready to return to Bundesliga with Bayern Munich but the timing needs to be perfect. The German manager has had an impeccable time at Liverpool since his arrival and has turned the Merseysiders into one of the European giants.
Liverpool players put their feet up with the Champions League
In a shocking incident, Marouane Fellaini pulled Matteo Guendouzi's hair during Manchester United vs Arsenal English Premier League (EPL) match. Fellaini was caught on camera pulling back Guendouzi by his hair and stopping the Arsenal player from moving forward.
Why are Chelsea playing a friendly in Boston? Is Christian Pulisic involved? Who will feature ahead of Arsenal Europa League final? Talksport; Christian Pulisic doing Eden Hazard things for Dortmund will reassure Chelsea fans Dream Team FC; Build for the future: Arrival of Pulisic provides hope for improved transfer strategy Football Fan Cast
The Latest Kepa News | SportSpyder
Virgil van Dijk better than Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic, says Liverpool star's former boss Pieter H; Wales under Ryan Giggs have gone backwards, claims Dean Saunders on talkSPORT; Tyson Fury shocks breakfast TV viewers as he strips off during live interview
Every Premier League club's last five opening day fixtures in
Ashley Cole is interested in a return to English football after being released by LA Galaxy. The 37-year-old ex-England and Chelsea left-back - currently living in Hollywood - is one of eight
Ashley Cole impresses in MLS as LA Galaxy aim for play-offs
The Armenia captain skipped the Gunners' earlier fixture in the competition against Qarabag in Baku because of the issue, which has flared once again with the Azerbaijani capital city set to host the final. Henrikh Mkhitaryan could miss out on the Europa League final Hostility remains between the neighbouring countries over the disputed Nagorno
Arsenal plan to leave Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of Europa League
The best players to never win the Champions League including
Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal: Eight years since Cheick Tiote's stunning goal completed one of the greatest Premier League comebacks ever The Magpies did something no other club in Premier League
Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal: Eight years since Cheick Tiote
Spurs to screen Champions League final at new 62,000-seater stadium on HD screens. Man Utd ready to hand De Gea £20m if he LEAVES for PSG as £60m bid is lined up . Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs U18s set to play in new stadium as test event
0 Comments