Rangers vs Hearts abandoned after just 25 minutes due to snow as home fans protest over claims Ibrox is to be mortgaged off
By ANDY NEWPORT, PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 16:06 EST, 16 January 2015 | UPDATED: 18:31 EST, 16 January 2015
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Rangers' top-of-the-table clash with Hearts at a snowbound Ibrox lasted just 25 minutes before it was abandoned by referee Bobby Madden.
A heavy flurry of snow 90 minutes before kick-off put the game in doubt but after inspecting the Ibrox surface, the official gave it the green light to start.
However, with piles of the white stuff still coating the pitch and the players struggling to stay on their feet, Madden decided midway through the first half it was no longer safe to continue.
VIDEO Scroll down for Rangers fans break into Ibrox rioting in protest against the board
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Rangers defender Darren McGregor (right) tackles Hearts' Sam Nicholson on a snowy night at Ibrox
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Striker Kenny Miller (right) tries to avoid a tackle from Hearts' Alim Ozturk early on in the top-of-the-table clash
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Referee Bobby Madden gestures for both sets of players to return to the dressing rooms after abandoning the match
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Hearts players applaud their travelling supporters after having their clash with Rangers called off halfway through the opening period
Rangers were desperate to win the match as they sought to trim back the Jambos' 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship.
But as usual, the main talking points before the match related to the Ibrox soap-opera and matters off the pitch rather than those on it.
Just as hundreds of supporters were gathering outside the front door of Ibrox to protest over claims the board were ready to mortgage off Ibrox and Murray Park to Mike Ashley, Dave King announced he was calling a general meeting to ask shareholders to sack all four directors.
The home fans chanted 'sack the board' and 'Easdales get to f***' as the match got under way.
However, it soon became a farcical affair as the players slipped and slid their way across the turf.
[size=17]Rangers fans break into Ibrox rioting in protest against the board
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Rangers fans protest before the match over claims that Ibrox is to be mortgaged off to shareholder Mike Ashley
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Home supporters hold a banner making their feelings about the Rangers board and Newcastle owner Ashley known
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Rangers fans gesture towards Hearts' travelling supporters as an electronic board explains why the game had to be cancelled
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Police and stewards are forced to hold people back as Hearts and Rangers fans attempt to confront each other inside Ibrox
Lee Wallace had an early chance to cross but completely missed the ball as it stopped dead just as he swung his leg.
Nicky Law fired wide as Rangers did finally cut their way through the snow while Alim Ozturk saw his 30-yard free-kick pushed onto the bar by Light Blues stopper Steve Simonsen.
But with the pitch still causing problems Madden halted play in the 19th minute to discuss the situation with Kenny McDowall and Robbie Neilson before giving the go ahead to continue.
Five minutes later though, with the players still struggling, Madden decided the match could go on no longer and called it off.
Tempers flared as both sets of players returned to the changing rooms, with police and stewards forced to separate Rangers and Hearts fans inside Ibrox.
Reports on social media later alleged that the trouble had continued outside the stadium, with both sets of fans reportedly involved in violent clashes.
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Rival fans clash after referee Madden decided the match could not continue beyond the 25-minute mark
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Rangers fans display a 'Forever Ibrox' banner after continuing their pre-match protests during the game[/size]
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2913899/Rangers-vs-Hearts-abandoned-just-25-minutes-snow-home-fans-protest.html#ixzz3P2AVvqMt
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Looks like things got ugly rather quickly
- Referee Bobby Madden was forced to postpone the match following heavy snow in Glasgow
- The match was tied at 0-0 before the poor weather meant Rangers and Hearts could not continue
- Home fans protested before the match over claims Ibrox is going to be mortgaged off to Mike Ashley
- Hearts and Rangers supporters had to be kept apart by stewards and police as tempers flared inside the stadium
By ANDY NEWPORT, PRESS ASSOCIATION
PUBLISHED: 16:06 EST, 16 January 2015 | UPDATED: 18:31 EST, 16 January 2015
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Rangers' top-of-the-table clash with Hearts at a snowbound Ibrox lasted just 25 minutes before it was abandoned by referee Bobby Madden.
A heavy flurry of snow 90 minutes before kick-off put the game in doubt but after inspecting the Ibrox surface, the official gave it the green light to start.
However, with piles of the white stuff still coating the pitch and the players struggling to stay on their feet, Madden decided midway through the first half it was no longer safe to continue.
VIDEO Scroll down for Rangers fans break into Ibrox rioting in protest against the board
+10
Rangers defender Darren McGregor (right) tackles Hearts' Sam Nicholson on a snowy night at Ibrox
+10
Striker Kenny Miller (right) tries to avoid a tackle from Hearts' Alim Ozturk early on in the top-of-the-table clash
+10
Referee Bobby Madden gestures for both sets of players to return to the dressing rooms after abandoning the match
+10
Hearts players applaud their travelling supporters after having their clash with Rangers called off halfway through the opening period
Rangers were desperate to win the match as they sought to trim back the Jambos' 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Championship.
But as usual, the main talking points before the match related to the Ibrox soap-opera and matters off the pitch rather than those on it.
Just as hundreds of supporters were gathering outside the front door of Ibrox to protest over claims the board were ready to mortgage off Ibrox and Murray Park to Mike Ashley, Dave King announced he was calling a general meeting to ask shareholders to sack all four directors.
The home fans chanted 'sack the board' and 'Easdales get to f***' as the match got under way.
However, it soon became a farcical affair as the players slipped and slid their way across the turf.
[size=17]Rangers fans break into Ibrox rioting in protest against the board
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Rangers fans protest before the match over claims that Ibrox is to be mortgaged off to shareholder Mike Ashley
+10
Home supporters hold a banner making their feelings about the Rangers board and Newcastle owner Ashley known
+10
Rangers fans gesture towards Hearts' travelling supporters as an electronic board explains why the game had to be cancelled
+10
Police and stewards are forced to hold people back as Hearts and Rangers fans attempt to confront each other inside Ibrox
Lee Wallace had an early chance to cross but completely missed the ball as it stopped dead just as he swung his leg.
Nicky Law fired wide as Rangers did finally cut their way through the snow while Alim Ozturk saw his 30-yard free-kick pushed onto the bar by Light Blues stopper Steve Simonsen.
But with the pitch still causing problems Madden halted play in the 19th minute to discuss the situation with Kenny McDowall and Robbie Neilson before giving the go ahead to continue.
Five minutes later though, with the players still struggling, Madden decided the match could go on no longer and called it off.
Tempers flared as both sets of players returned to the changing rooms, with police and stewards forced to separate Rangers and Hearts fans inside Ibrox.
Reports on social media later alleged that the trouble had continued outside the stadium, with both sets of fans reportedly involved in violent clashes.
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Rival fans clash after referee Madden decided the match could not continue beyond the 25-minute mark
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Rangers fans display a 'Forever Ibrox' banner after continuing their pre-match protests during the game[/size]
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2913899/Rangers-vs-Hearts-abandoned-just-25-minutes-snow-home-fans-protest.html#ixzz3P2AVvqMt
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Looks like things got ugly rather quickly
