Empty Kilmarnock Stand Doesn’t Build Sympathy

Scottish football had somewhat of an inferiority issue for some time, often stemming from all the non-old firm clubs complaining about the huge money difference.

Rangers went on the road to face Kilmarnock FC this past weekend for what was both club’s season opener. It was a rematch of the final match of last season and a place where Rangers have had significant issues getting good results at the plastic pitch of Rugby park.

Starting last season, Kilmarnock began giving the old-firm clubs a single stand for supporters, saying that they will have the “family stand remain a family stand.” And proclaiming “It is back for Killie and will remain for Killie.”

Rugby Park had some issues with Rangers fans this past weekend beyond ticket allotment. There were issues with supporters getting into the stadium that featured a near crush as well as fans jumping onto the roof of the disabled section causing it to collapse.

I have no interest in defending the actions or poor behavior of fans. Let whatever punishment comes to them come to them, but the stand that they refused to allow Rangers supporters into, which sat mostly empty for the match, does raise some anger.

I personally think that one of the keys for Scottish Football to be raised is for the non Old-Firm clubs to be raised and money is a big part of that. I would fully support some sort of revenue sharing of Rangers and Celtic with the rest of the league, especially if Scotland managed to reclaim two Champions Leauge places again.

And yet, when Kilmarnock gives up significant funds willingly, just to spite Rangers, it makes it harder to argue for such things. Someone did the math and found that Kilmarnock, by not selling the extra tickets when Rangers or Celtic come to town, will sacrifice more than 400,000 pounds over four games this season which is not a small amount for a club like Kilmarnock.

Essentially, despite being a Rangers fan and this being a Rangers blog, I feel the plight of the smaller clubs and am in favor of trying to find ways to split up the cash around the league to raise everyone up. But when you refuse the money of Rangers fans at your own park simply out of spite, it doesn’t earn any good-will.

Essentially, every team in Scottish Football needs to maximize the amount of money they can bring in, but if they want to hope for any acts of help from the bigger clubs, they cannot act in outright hostility towards them.