Gassama major Rangers gaffe will be forgotten if he delivers at Ibrox | OneFootball

Djeidi Gassama is officially a Rangers player but already he has managed to raise eyebrows before even kicking a ball. During his arrival talks with the club, the new signing showed up wearing a Boston Celtics shirt, a choice that turned heads among Rangers fans familiar with the deep and passionate Old Firm rivalry. The Old Firm rivalry reflects a long-standing tension that any player coming to Ibrox should at least be aware of. That Gassama appeared unaware of the historical significance of his choice of top suggests a worrying lack of insight into the club’s culture and identity.

The former Sheffield Wednesday winger has arrived with some promise, and many Rangers supporters are keen to focus on what he does on the pitch. But turning up to negotiations dressed like that is a tone-deaf move, as highlighted in a recent Ibrox Noise report. It might seem trivial to some, and already the expected damage control has begun, with supporters calling it a non-issue. The same people defending the move now will likely use it against him the moment he has a poor match. It is part of the wider trend of brushing off anything awkward until it is convenient to bring it up in criticism later.

Rangers are not just another club and Ibrox is not just another stadium. Understanding that matters. The Old Firm rivalry is not a casual footnote in Scottish football. It defines so much of what it means to represent Rangers at the highest level. Whether Gassama did not know or just did not think it through, it should never have happened. Clubs like Rangers deserve players who at least try to grasp the size of the jersey they are wearing. This was not about fashion or style, it was about awareness and respect.

There is no doubt that if Gassama turns out to be a fantastic addition, this story will quickly be forgotten. The official club announcement did not mention the shirt incident, instead focusing on his arrival and potential impact on the squad. Results and performances have a way of erasing awkward first impressions. But if he struggles, fans will absolutely bring this back into the conversation. He has set himself up with a warning label and only strong displays can remove it. The Old Firm rivalry does not forgive ignorance easily.

Footballers do not need to be scholars of club history, but they should know the basics. Rangers fans expect that. The hope now is that Gassama lets his feet do the talking and puts this unnecessary storm behind him. But it will always be remembered.