Some Fans Really Have No Shame — “What Kind of Chant Is That?” Aberdeen Head Coach Condemns Rangers Fans’ Chant
Aberdeen head coach has strongly condemned a chant from sections of the Rangers support during the latest meeting between the two Scottish Premiership sides, describing the behaviour as a shame and questioning why such chants were being directed at Aberdeen.
The atmosphere at Pittodrie was intense from the opening whistle, with both sets of supporters making their voices heard in what was another fiercely contested fixture between two of Scottish football’s biggest clubs.
However, it was not only the action on the pitch that attracted attention.
A chant from the travelling Rangers supporters quickly became one of the major talking points surrounding the match, with fans heard singing:
“We’ve been sleeping, but now awake!”
and then:
“Starting from Aberdeen, we conquer!”
The chants appeared to reflect the belief among sections of the Rangers support that their team is beginning a new chapter and is ready to reassert itself domestically after a difficult period.
But Aberdeen’s head coach was far from impressed.
Speaking after the match, the Aberdeen boss expressed his frustration at the nature of the chanting and questioned whether there was really any need for supporters to target his club in such a manner.
“What kind of chant is that?”
The Aberdeen manager reportedly found the chants distasteful, particularly the suggestion that Aberdeen would be the starting point for Rangers’ supposed domination.
For him, football rivalry should remain passionate without crossing the line into behaviour that brings unnecessary controversy to the game.
The Aberdeen boss’ reaction has since added another layer to an already heated fixture, with supporters on both sides debating whether the chant was simply harmless football banter or something that went too far.
“Some fans really have no shame,” was the sentiment surrounding the Aberdeen camp, as the manager made it clear that he did not appreciate what he heard from the Rangers end.
And the question being asked by Aberdeen supporters was simple:
“What kind of chant is that?”
Rangers supporters believe their club is waking up
From the Rangers perspective, however, the chant had a very different meaning.
The travelling supporters appeared determined to send a message that they believe their club is finally beginning to find its identity again.
The words “We’ve been sleeping but now awake” were particularly significant.
It suggested that Rangers fans feel their team has spent too long below the standards expected of a club of its stature and that the time has come for a resurgence.
The second part — “Starting from Aberdeen we conquer” — added even more fuel to the rivalry.
It was essentially a declaration from the Rangers support that Aberdeen would be the beginning of a new chapter.
And after Rangers secured the victory, the chant inevitably gained even greater significance among the travelling supporters.
A victory that made the celebrations louder
Rangers left Pittodrie with a narrow victory, giving their supporters plenty of reason to celebrate.
The result meant the Rangers fans could leave Aberdeen believing that their team had taken another important step forward.
The victory was not necessarily spectacular, but it was the kind of result that can become important over the course of a season.
In difficult away fixtures, three points can sometimes matter more than the performance.
And for Rangers supporters, the timing made the victory even more satisfying.
Their team had been under pressure to deliver, and the travelling support responded with a show of confidence that their fortunes are about to change.
The chant effectively became a statement of intent.
“We’ve been sleeping, but now awake.”
That was the message.
Aberdeen see it differently
Inside the Aberdeen camp, however, the focus was understandably different.
The home side had wanted the match to be about football, competition and the battle for three points.
Instead, the controversial chanting became one of the biggest talking points after the final whistle.
The Aberdeen manager’s criticism demonstrates just how fierce the rivalry between the clubs has become.
There is a long history of tension between Aberdeen and Rangers, and fixtures between the sides are rarely short of emotion.
The travelling support regularly creates a hostile atmosphere at Pittodrie, while Aberdeen supporters are equally passionate about making life difficult for Rangers.
But the Aberdeen boss clearly believes there should be a line that supporters should not cross.
Rangers fans won’t see it that way
Rangers supporters, meanwhile, are unlikely to accept the criticism quietly.
For many fans, chants like these are part of the theatre of football.
They are designed to create an intimidating atmosphere, provoke the opposition and demonstrate belief in their own team.
From that perspective, “Starting from Aberdeen we conquer” is simply a football chant expressing confidence.
There was no hiding the message behind it, though.
Rangers supporters were effectively telling everyone inside Pittodrie that they believe their club is ready to return to the top.
And that confidence was amplified by the result.
The rivalry continues
The incident has once again highlighted the fine line between football passion and unacceptable behaviour.
Supporters will always sing.
They will always tease their rivals.
They will always celebrate when their team wins.
That is part of what makes football such an emotional sport.
But when a manager publicly condemns a chant and describes the behaviour as a shame, it inevitably becomes a bigger story.
For Aberdeen, the defeat was already difficult enough.
For Rangers, the victory provided a valuable boost.
And for the travelling Rangers support, their chants ensured that the atmosphere remained unforgettable long after the final whistle.
Whether Aberdeen fans consider the chant embarrassing or Rangers fans consider it harmless banter, one thing is certain:
The rivalry between these two clubs remains as fierce as ever.
And judging by the Rangers supporters’ message at Pittodrie, they believe this is only the beginning.
“We’ve been sleeping… but now awake.”
The message has been delivered.
Now Rangers must prove on the pitch that the words were more than just a chant.
