A TORY MSP has revealed there are “not many” Rangers fans in the SNP.
Leadership contender Murdo Fraser said he believed the Ibrox side are not the “establishment” club under SNP rule at Holyrood – saying he knew few true blues within the ranks of John Swinney’s party.
In an interview with the Daily Express, the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP was asked about being one of a few bluenoses at Holyrood – and what made him “simply the best” to take over from the hapless Douglas Ross.
Fraser (above) said he wanted to be “more successful than [Rangers manager] Philippe Clement”.
Asked whether it was hard being one of a small number of Rangers fans in the Scottish Parliament, Fraser said: “There's probably not that many Rangers supporters in Scottish politics now but I know people in Labour and the Lib Dems and the Conservatives. Maybe not many in the SNP.”
Perhaps this is unsurprising for a team whose "ultras" supporters call themselves the Union Bears.
But he added he was building an “ecumenical team” in his leadership campaign and pointed to Graham Simpson, who is an organiser for Fraser’s campaign and a Celtic season ticket holder.
There are a few notable Celtic fans in the SNP, including former first minister Humza Yousaf (below), backbencher James Dornan and Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber MP Brendan O’Hara.
Former Labour first minister Jack McConnell was also a Hoops man and Tory MSP Annie Wells also backs the Parkhead side.
Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson are Hearts fans, along with Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, while SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is a Dundee United man.
His predecessor Ian Blackford was a Hibs fan and other figures to have made their allegiances known include Jags fan Mhairi Black, Dunfermline Athletic supporter Ruth Davidson and John Mason, who favours the fortunes of Clyde.
