Keith Wyness shares update as Rangers face SFA fine
Rangers are likely to be fined for the banner that their supporters held up during their pre-season friendly against Saint-Etienne.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Union Bears' actions are likely to leave the club in hot water once again.
The banner that was unveiled in the Copland Road end of Ibrox read: "No surrender Broxi. **** the SFA," in reference to a review by the SFA of last season's violent clash with Celtic, which saw Rangers' Broxi Bear mascot warned for provoking the away fans.
Wyness believes that the Union Bears ultras group, and Celtic's equivalent, the Green Brigade, are starting to cause major issues for the Scottish footballing authorities.
The group have been responsible for several punishments that the Gers have faced in recent years, and this is just the latest in a long line of banners made in protest.
Wyness believes that they should have tried to get their message across in a less direct way, rather than putting Rangers in hot water once again.
Keith Wyness expects Rangers to face SFA fine
Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that Rangers will face a fine from the SFA as a result of the Union Bears' banner.
The governing body are yet to make a comment on the incident publicly, but Wyness expects them to act sooner rather than later.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he stressed that the SFA won't escalate their punishment beyond a fine.
"I think there'll be a punishment; it'll be a fine and a warning as to future behaviour, but this is one area where we've discussed for many weeks about the Union Bears and the Green Brigade at Celtic," Wyness said.
"They need to be reined in in some way. And this is where I do have some sympathy in terms of trying to operate with these two groups, who are starting to become a law unto themselves.
"It's a difficult one, but I don't expect much more than a fine. And as I say, this is where I do think there will be a warning as to future conduct. The fans have got to realise they're the ones that will bring this on the club.
"I get feelings run high, and I get banter and all the rest of it and making clever points, but sometimes the language used isn't quite correct.
"You can make your point a lot more effectively with humour and still strike very hard at the people at the SFA."
Rangers to get Derek McInnes ban reduced
Wyness also told Football Insider earlier this week that Rangers may be able to get Derek McInnes' touchline ban reduced down to just one game.
The new boss is facing a three-match ban (with a fourth game suspended) for his comments regarding Celtic's late penalty away at Motherwell in last season's title race, and Rangers have now appealed against that ruling.
Wyness believes that they could get the suspension taken down to just a single game, and made it clear that the SFA have been harsh with their punishment.
McInnes was in the dugout for Rangers' 1-1 draw with Dundee United on Friday, and will be allowed to continue on the touchline until the hearing for his appeal.