Andy Halliday took a megaphone off one of the Union Bears as he celebrated Rangers completing ‘The Journey’ back to the top flight back in 2016.
A couple of years ago the ex Ibrox hero and boyhood fan was calling out the ultras – bringing colour and controversy since their foundation in 2007 – over a scathing banner directed at former boss Michael Beale – the criticism taken so personally be the then Light Blues manager that held talks with the controversial fans’ group.
And Halliday’s switch in views sums up how much the Union Bears have divided opinion in almost two decades since their formation with their latest coming during a hostile protest on Sunday when they walked out of the 3-1 win over St Johnstone on the 55th minute in protest at the club’s current position which sees them 15 points behind Premiership leaders and bitter rivals Celtic.
Here, as they vow to ramp up their protest with home games against Aberdeen and Fraserburgh to come this week, Record Sport takes a look back at some of the Union Bears most headline-grabbing moments during their existence.
Cup final chaos (December 2024)
Clashes with Celtic’s ultra rivals the Green Brigade in Glasgow city centre before the Premier Sports Cup final saw Christmas shoppers cowering in fear as they ran for cover on Argyle Street. Police officers used batons on running fans – with the Union Bears wearing Santa hats and face coverings. Missiles were thrown and windows smashed.
Birthday bash (December 2022)
The Union Bears celebrated their 15th anniversary in a 3-2 win over Hibs – Michael Beale’s first competitive match in charge. And they even had a birthday message from fans of Swedish side Helsingborg – the club where Celtic hero Henrik Larsson started his career.
Remembrance Day ruckus (November 2024)
The ultras group hit out at restrictions placed on them that “severely hampered” their Remembrance Day preparations in a game against Hearts. The group released a statement on Twitter (X) saying the restrictions were being imposed to “cover up” club chiefs’ own failings at boardroom level. In the statement they said the tifo for the day was one of the most difficult they’d ever had to make.
Fireworks ignite club row (September 2024)
The club slammed the Union Bears with interim chairman John Gilligan sending an open letter after a display of fireworks and flares at the Europa League clash against Lyon resulted in a UEFA fine of €13,750 which came after a €19,000 fine for a similar situation in Malmo a week earlier.
Stadium move (January 2024)
It was announced the ultras group would move from the Broomloan Road to the Copland Road in a bid to enhance the atmosphere. The change forced around 600 season-ticket holders to move seats, but all were promised first choice of new slots created by the new cantilever extension to Copland Rear as part of upgrades to disabled facilities.
Raith row (March 2023)
The Union Bears boycotted a Scottish Cup quarter final tie against Raith Rovers in protest after the removal of banners. The club released a statement saying it was an “offensive” banner aimed at police which was later revealed to depicting a police officer as a pig into Ibrox.’ They chose to stand outside. Previous displays of ACAB – which stands for ‘All Cops Are B*******’ – have been seen from the section at grounds across Scotland.
Angry Andy (February 2023)
Andy Halliday slammed the Union Bears for banners that hit out at Michael Beale after the ex Gers boss came under scrutiny for allowing Partick Thistle to score a free equaliser in a Scottish Cup tie after Malik Tillman netted an unsportsmanlike goal.
Beale pointed to club standards and said it was the right thing to do but the ultras held up a banner saying: “Two trophies in eleven years, uphold the standards that matter.” Halliday said: “The Union Bears do a lot of good stuff at Rangers. I think they actually self-fund a lot of their tifos and banners, I think that’s great. But I was really against the banner.”
Bristling Beale holds talks (February 2023)
On the back of the banner, Beale revealed he held talks with the Union Bears after being riled by the criticism. The Rangers manager took that as a personal slight against him. And after the fans group approached him to deny it was a veiled dig, Beale told them he felt the sentiment – and timing of it – was wrong.
Beale said: “They reached out to me personally to say it wasn’t (aimed at me) but I thought it was, to be honest. I did take it personally. It’s one of those things. We have fans all across the world and that’s a small minority. They’re very passionate and I think they do a lot of good things.”
Sydney Super Cup shambles (March 2022)
The ultras group blasted the club’s plans to compete in a friendly tournament in Australia against Celtic, branding it “disgusting”. Much of the outrage came from the fact the tournament was effectively a homecoming for then Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou. In a statement, they said: “We are disgusted to learn that our club has plans to take part in a friendly over in Australia against our biggest rivals, though not entirely shocked given the recent over commercialisation of the club. We will continue to oppose this match for as long as necessary – taking whatever actions we feel are required.”
Gerrard tribute to departing Capo (October 2021)
Former boss Steven Gerrard paid his own tribute to the departing Capo (leader) of the Union Bears, Ross McGill. The England and Liverpool legend appreciated the support given during his time behind the megaphone.
Painting a bad picture (September 2021)
Rangers fans hit out at the Union Bears, believing they were responsible for vandalising the visiting Lyon team bus before a Europa League clash.
The coach was tagged in offensive graffiti and the ultras group’s name was daubed on the coach.
River Pyro show (May 2021)
With fans locked out of stadiums when Steven Gerrard led Rangers to their historic Scottish Premiership title triumph, the club’s 55th, they had to find other ways to mark the occasion. And on the eve of their trophy day, around 100 members of the Union Bears lined the banks of the River Clyde to put on a spectacular show with flares and pyro.
Humza fury (May 2021)
The Union Bears supporters unfurled a “one Scotland, many cultures – apart from Rangers” banner outside Humza Yousaf’s Glasgow constituency office in Pollok after a petition from the wider Rangers fans demanding the former SNP Justice Secretary’s resignation. Yousaf had called for any Rangers players or staff found guilty of chanting sectarian slurs in a title party video should to be sacked but Police Scotland confirmed “no criminality” was established after examining the clips.
The Journey complete (April 2016)
Andy Halliday grew up just a Jack Butland goal kick from Ibrox Stadium and the former midfielder joined the Union Bears to celebrate at full time after a 1-0 win over Dumbarton which sealed promotion back to the top flight – the final step after the club was sent to the bottom tier following their financial collapse.
First step on The Journey (May 2013)
Ally McCoist celebrated with the Union Bears after a win over Berwick Rangers at Ibrox on the day they lifted the Division 3 trophy following a win over Berwick Rangers.