Back in April earlier this year, Rangers launched a new recording of the fan anthem, ‘Every Saturday We Follow’.

The backdrop was an excellent video produced by the club’s content staff, available to view on Rangers' official YouTube channel.

To most supporters, the song needs no explanation but essentially it is about pride, passion, commitment and belonging - essential elements that make any dedicated fan’s heart beat faster.

Various scenes are depicted, the Union Bears section in BF1, away sections from European games, fans gathering outside Ibrox on matchday and some archive footage of the pilgrimage to Barcelona in 1972.

The one constant throughout the whole video is that the supporters are standing, singing, creating atmosphere, colour, spectacle and adding to the matchday experience.

With these behaviours being of value to Rangers in several ways, isn’t it time that a credible roadmap to the introduction of safe standing at Ibrox was agreed between the club and supporters?

Rangers are aware of the demand and have those season ticket holders' details on file.

Whether it is a run of the mill league game or a big European night, the players and manager want the fans to be making noise and backing the team in a vocal, positive way. In turn, the club benefits from this overall, as already highlighted. Club marketing and imagery reflects this further.

Already, Fashion Sakala has been told by his new teammates to watch out for the bouncy in full flow. That is how prevalent and relevant the fan impact is, on the dressing room.

In modern times, the genesis of organised fan groups or singing sections goes back to 2002. Firstly, The Blue Order provided a presence in the Broomloan Front, providing an element of noise, colour and expression which included the legends banners and memorable card displays, particularly against Inter Milan in 2005 with the Union Flag/Saltire display around three sides of Ibrox.

With the emergence and evolution of the Union Bears in recent years following their formation in 2007, the active fan scene at Ibrox has been transformed to another level altogether and will continue to thrive.

From the Euro displays of the Gerrard era to the fan marches abroad as well as the spectacular scenes on the Clydeside in May to celebrate 55, the UB impact has gone above and beyond.

An impediment to further growth and expansion is the group’s ‘landlocked’ status in BF1 and the impasse on safe standing.

Meanwhile, across the city at Parkhead and now at the top of the Premier League with Man United, Man City and now Chelsea, actions are speaking louder than words with the introduction of safe standing areas. The impact during the boom times at Celtic has been clear to see and hear, whilst the supposed “corporate, plastic” EPL has stolen a march on Rangers, as have various clubs down south.

Safe standing has also been implemented at clubs like Kilmarnock, in Scotland.

The resistance at Ibrox comes in more than one form. Where would a safe standing section be placed? What about existing ticket holders in that area? How would it be paid for?

With Rangers regaining their status as Scotland’s premier club, the financial gap is closing. Champions League participation is the game-changing catalyst that is now in touching distance.

Around the club and in line with the 150th-anniversary celebrations, there is a new Edmiston House in progress, significant progress has been made and heralded for hospitality areas, as well as other critical housekeeping but for how much longer can Rangers ignore the elephant in the room?

A significant demographic of active fans want a safe standing section and that aspiration will remain. These people can and should be catered for, just like families, corporates and ‘normal’ fans.

Standing happens, is persistent and will continue, so why not make it as safe as possible in the best interests of all parties involved. 

From the club’s perspective, yes they have safety and regulatory obligations to face but there has to be a joined-up approach with common sense and taking stock of what is happening elsewhere.

Speaking to one activist, very familiar with BF1 and the Rangers fan scene, he commented: “There are many benefits to introducing safe standing at Ibrox, there is no reason we can’t have a scenario where everyone wins. There would undeniably be a noticeable uptake in noise and colour at Ibrox, if for example the entire Copland front was chosen, which would then also make Ibrox more intimidating for visiting teams. The club would also benefit in a business sense too if slightly more standing fans can be accommodated than on seats.

READ MORE: Stay calm and carry on to 56 is easier said than done Rangers

“Another solution, although more of a pipe dream with many obstacles, is to replace the large screens in the Govan stand corners and to implement a safe standing area. Now obviously there is going to be both massive financial and structural issues to address on this one, but as John Bennett mentioned on an increase in capacity at Ibrox, 'I think you will see, medium-term, and I can't say it is one years' time, but I don't think it is as far away as five years' time, I think you will see a bit more stadium expansion happening.'.

“Maybe we’re not so far away after all. Hopefully, the club can continue the dialogue with the active fan scene at Rangers and start to make progress on this front.

“Especially now it looks like we have a team on the park who are ready to dominate Scotland again.”

With a vested interest, the supporters are ready and willing for the next steps - the sooner the club can escalate plans to introduce safe standing to Ibrox, the better.