‘Absolute Twonks’ – Keown blasts footage of what happened to two Rangers stars

Gary Keown has slammed what happened to Jack Butland and Borna Barisic after the Rangers win v Kilmarnock but he has refused to defend their actions.

The Gers secured a 4-1 win over Killie at Ibrox on Sunday (5 May) but this wasn’t good enough for some fans.

As the Rangers players were leaving the ground after the game, abuse was hurled in the direction of Butland and Barisic who were left far from impressed.

In a column for the Scottish Mail on Sunday (12 May, page 105), Keown slammed the fan reaction but suggested there are no excuses for the players’ reactions.

He said: “One dispiriting part of society, especially when it comes to football, is the number of idiots who feel they can say whatever they want with no comeback. Another of the absolute twonks who seem incapable of enjoying life without recording every aspect.

“Football players often get a bad press. It must get under your skin when some geezer starts shouting through a metal fence outside a stadium.

“This does not excuse Butland getting into verbals with a punter after last weekend’s home win against Kilmarnock. It certainly doesn’t excuse Barasic having to be restrained.”

Should Jack Butland and Borna Barisic have done better for Rangers?

It isn’t a good look for the club when their players are locking horns with fans in an aggressive conversation post-match.

The criticism aimed at the Rangers duo was confused especially given that Philippe Clement’s side had just secured a 4-1 win.

It is safe to say it wasn’t the most convincing of starts to the game which may well have caused some frustration for fans.

A missed penalty and an own-goal from James Tavernier saw the away side nearly carry a lead into the break before Fabio Silva levelled the game.

The second half went differently as Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence and John Souttar helped to secure a positive result.

This didn’t stop fans voicing their concerns after the game which Butland and Barasic were recorded reacting to.

They should have kept a lid on it and not reacted but they are human and were within their rights to respond.

It isn’t an ideal situation and they certainly could have done better but fans need to back the team not shout abuse in a car park.