Rangers have been requested by the SPFL to provide an explanation regarding a controversial banner displayed before Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Celtic, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The banner depicted former Rangers manager Graeme Souness holding a gun, a scene that was noted in the match delegate's report.

In addition to the banner, Rangers are also addressing reports of missiles, including a glass bottle, thrown onto the pitch from the stands. The club has condemned these actions, stating that measures are being taken to identify those responsible and describing the banner as "unacceptable".

This match marked the first time since January 2023 that away fans were allowed at Ibrox for a Rangers-Celtic game. The incident involving the glass bottle, which landed near Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, has sparked a broader discussion about player safety in football matches.

Sinisalo revealed that he was targeted with various objects during the game, including lighters, vapes, coins, and mugs. He expressed concerns over the potential dangers these objects pose to players. This is not the first such incident at Ibrox; previous matches have seen players and staff hit by objects thrown from the crowd.

Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson shared his empathy for Sinisalo, recalling a similar experience during a Europa League game. Ferguson emphasized the importance of ensuring such incidents do not lead to restrictions on fan attendance in future derbies.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers also commented on the issue, stressing the need for player safety to be a top priority and expressing confidence that Rangers would address the behavior appropriately.

These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining safety and decorum in high-stakes football matches, particularly in fiercely contested derbies like those between Rangers and Celtic.