Imran was proud to play a role in the club’s Everyone Anyone diversity and inclusion campaign, which was launched last July, and it was all the more special to him as he was able to share the experience with his children.
His parents are originally from Pakistan but they settled in Glasgow in the 1960’s and Imran’s father took him to games in the early 80’s – before the Graeme Souness Revolution.
Now he is delighted to follow Rangers with his daughters and is relishing the prospect of returning to Ibrox when it is safe to attend games once again.
He said: “We have missed the football and can’t wait to get back to being able to watch matches at Ibrox.
“It has been a great campaign to be involved in and to spread the message that Rangers are open to supporters of all backgrounds. I have had friends ask me about the campaign and the message I have been spreading is that my club are open to supporters of all backgrounds. It is making a statement and commitment that all are welcome as long as they abide by the club’s code of conduct.
“Having been a supporter of Rangers since the early 80’s, football stadiums were not the most welcoming of places to be. But back in 2016 my daughter asked me if I could take her to a game at Ibrox.
“It was against Hearts and we won 2-1. From that day she became hooked and we purchased a season ticket for the following season. She loves the atmosphere at games. It is so refreshing to see the changes over the years when comparing the experience of taking my daughter to a football stadium now to when I went to games in the 80’s.
“I want to let people know that Rangers is a welcoming place and it is working hard to change the stereotypes that were put on Rangers and the Rangers fans.
“I have been very fortunate to be in the stands and be treated like any other fan.
“There is still work to be done but it is so refreshing to see the effort that the club is making so when the opportunity arose to take part in the campaign I was only too willing as I want the fan base to grow irrespective of backgrounds, culture or religion. “What matters is that we are all Rangers supporters and wanting Rangers to be the best is what matters.
“I took my daughters along for the Everyone Anyone photo-shoot and for them it was a brilliant day to be treated like models. The images came across really well and our neighbours, family and friends all saw them on posters and billboards. Even now my daughters gets excited seeing the images when we are at Ibrox.
“My daughters allow me to follow my team now on a regular basis as they are there also following their team and it is great that we can follow Rangers together.”
Imran is one of a number of supporters who have shared their stories during the lockdown period and the common bond for all – regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or background – is a shared love for Rangers.
He continued: “I have read the stories of others involved in the campaign and the same message is coming across. In today’s world there is no place for any form of discrimination and the club we all support is saying it clearly that it will not tolerate any form of discrimination.
“I came across CEMVO (an ethnic minority voluntary organisation which enjoys a partnership with Rangers and the Rangers Charity Foundation) when they were looking for Rangers fans to take part in this campaign and I thought I would head down and see what they were proposing and what the club’s plans were.
“After that initial meeting I was hoping it would be the start of something good and I have not been disappointed. The club are genuinely engaging with people of all backgrounds and I was so happy to have taken up the opportunity that CEMVO presented to be able to work with them and Rangers on this campaign.
“The Fans Charter is another positive step and I hope that all Rangers fans take on board the messages as we all want the club to be reflected in the best way and we don’t want to see sections of the stadium shut.
Imran has loved watching his team in action since the 80’s and has picked out his personal highlights.
He recalled: “There have been so many from the first game I went to. The Rangers v Aberdeen League Cup Final in 1987 was a highlight, what a nail biter that was.
“The Title decider against Aberdeen in 1991, Helicopter Sunday in 2005 and I have also enjoyed big games in Europe.
“Most recently I would say the game against Braga where we were 2-0 down but came back to win 3-2 on the night was a highlight.
“My favourite players are Davie Cooper for his dribbling, shooting and passing and also Brian Laudrup. What he could do was amazing and with Gazza playing alongside him it was a great time to be a Rangers supporter.
“I would also say Andy Goram for the number of times he would pull of magnificent saves, I had lost count! Our current favourite players are Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.”
CLICK HERE for more information on the Everyone Anyone campaign.
CLICK HERE for more information on the new Rangers Fans Charter.