Rangers: We don't need sectarian chanting, says McDowall

The Rangers players train at Auchenhowie ahead of the Championship match at Falkirk

Rangers manager Kenny McDowall has reiterated the points made in a club statement on Wednesday about some fans making sectarian chants last Friday.

The chants in the Raith Rovers game were included in the match delegate's report now being considered by the Scottish Professional Football League.

"Obviously we don't condone that at Rangers," said the Ibrox boss.

"The club has been working hard to eradicate it. Support your team, but we don't need it."

McDowall is in the early days of a 12-month notice period after announcing that he did not want to continue in the post he inherited from Ally McCoist, who was placed on gardening leave after handing in his notice.

Asked if he heard the songs being sung by some travelling fans, McDowall said: "I was concentrating on my job. The club's made a statement and I'll leave it at that.

"Everybody knows, it's been a long-term thing, not just our club."

McDowall's sentiments on ending the songs were echoed by supporters' group the Union of Fans.

Prior to the league visit to Falkirk, it has called on supporters to "please think of Rangers ahead of anything else".

"The Union of Fans would like to urge supporters to remember that their behaviour at the game on Friday night will once again be under intense scrutiny," the group said in a statement.

"The Rangers fans have been consistently excellent over the past few years and have attracted much deserved praise. It remains the case however that any slip will be highlighted whilst behaviour by fans of other clubs is largely ignored.

"Acts of defiance do not work. They do not shine the spotlight on the actions of others but merely turn it back on our fans. We are in a position of weakness and our club is an easy target. That will not always be the case.

"A tiny section of fans have let the club down recently by reverting to damaging behaviour which is not only illegal but tarnishes the club.

"Help us to challenge attempts to smear the club by giving those who seek to damage us no ammunition."

Kenny McDowall is assisted in coaching the first team by former Ibrox striker Gordon Durie

McDowall, meanwhile, has admitted that his position is not without its challenges.

"I'm trying to enjoy it, but there's a lot to take on board. It's not easy," he told BBC Scotland.

"I came here with Walter Smith and then I was very fortunate to be asked to be Ally's assistant. I would much rather Ally was sitting here and not me.

"I've just got to get on with it and do my best for the club and try keep us winning football matches.

"We need to get promotion this year and get Rangers back in to the top league."

The manager expressed his dejection that the Scottish Football Association's compliance office has challenged what he perceives to be the leniency of the two-match ban for goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

"We're disappointed because we thought the matter had been dealt with," he said.