HAD Josh Windass been, as was suggested, reprimanded for his ‘offensive’ gesture in Friday’s match at Firhill then it would have been time to give up.

Thankfully, it turns out that the Rangers player did nothing wrong and won’t face any meeting with the SFA’s disciplinary committee.

Windass was perhaps a bit naughty but none more so than the Partick Thistle fans who were goading the midfielder.

Pedro Caixinha, the Rangers manager, made the point that as Neil Lennon was let off with his gesture at Ibrox then why should his player face any sort of punishment. Quite right, too.

Fans give out plenty of stick but there are those who find it hard to take any back. Players have a responsibility but there are bigger problems for Scottish football.

“I don’t want my players to behave like that,” said Caixinha. “I want them to be focused on the game because it is inside the pitch where you can change the course of things, not in the stand.

“But that [how supporters behave] is the reality of this game.

“I have worked in different countries. When I worked in Saud Arabia, we were living in a specific, religious society. The only way and moment people could express themselves was in football matches.

“This is the reality. Players, coaches, fans – we are all part of the same game.”

Caixinha will still have a quiet word with his player although it will be no more than that.

“If Josh did something, of course he needs to understand he cannot do that.”