Chants 'threaten Rangers' future'

Updated 13.26 Tue Aug 07 2007

Rangers manager Walter Smith is worried Ibrox could be closed if fans continue to sing sectarian songs.

Scottish Premier League delegate Alan Dick is expected to report the club over chanting during the Scottish Premier League match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

"The next time there will be no fine" - Walter Smith

Rangers have been fined a total of £21,000 for past offences at European matches and the Champions League qualifier against FK Zeta in Montenegro will be watched closely.

Smith said: "Uefa want to stamp the problem out. They have fined the club on previous occasions. The next time there will be no fine. They are going to close the stadium.

"If people see that they can't come and watch a game then that might bring them to their senses. But I'm more concerned about the longer term implications.

"I don't think Rangers or Celtic will ever be accepted in to the Premiership. I believe it is more likely that a European league will form and with the situation that we are in at the moment, we would probably be prohibited from joining any such set-up."

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