Rangers owner Sir David Murray will meet with First Minister Alex Salmond next week to defend the Ibrox club against allegations of sectarianism.
Rangers owner Sir David Murray will meet with First Minister Alex Salmond next week to defend the Ibrox club against allegations of sectarianism.
However, he has appealed to the club's own supporters to play their part in protecting the reputation of the Glasgow giants.
Murray came under fire from Gers shareholders unhappy at his defence of the club's public image at a no-holds barred AGM this morning.
But Sir David hit back at the allegations and urged Rangers fans to play their part in promoting the Uefa Cup finalists.
advertisement He said: "I don't think we help ourselves at this club with our internal bickering.
"I believe our PR has improved since we brought in consultants, but sometimes we serve our head on a silver salver to the media. Many of our problems are self- inflicted.
"We have supporters who, on the day of the Uefa Cup Final, went on the internet and criticised the manager and his players.
"Some of the people who support this club need to have a look at themselves.
"We need all of our supporters going in the right direction. At the moment they give it to the media on a plate."
Sir David added: "I have gone on record in the past as saying Scotland's shame is not sectarianism, it is drugs and obesity. I have been vociferous on that.
"But we have people involved in this club who put bile on the internet every day and hide behind a nom de plume.
"All we do is play into the hands of the media. We have to police ourselves and not give the media ammunition.
"In the 20 years that I have been involved with this club there has been a vast, vast improvement in the behaviour of our supporters and everybody who has played a part in that should be applauded. But there is still work to be done.
"Having said that, all the ills of Scottish society should not be put at the feet of Rangers Football Club and I intend to take it up with the First Minister when I meet with him next week."
Meanwhile, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith admits finally ending a near 18-month search for a Scottish Cup sponsor would be a major boost to the governing body.
The SFA are in the final stages of talks with a potential investor over a reported £3million deal over three years.
Scotland's most prestigious domestic cup has been without a backer since brewers Tennent's ended their long association in order to support the national team.
Former Celtic director Willie Haughey, who owns a Glasgow-based refrigeration firm, has revealed he is in talks with the SFA over providing backing.
And Smith admits the funding would be a big relief after running last season's tournament without external finance.
"It is a problem and it would be a major boost to the finances," Smith said.
"We have been financing the cup ourselves last season and this season. But I think the main thing is it shows there is an interest in the Scottish Cup.
"It's a fantastic tournament, I have great memories of it myself, and I'm delighted if we get someone out there.
"It shows going forward that the cup is something which people can attach themselves to."
