MICHAEL BEALE has urged Rangers supporters to respect the memory of Ron Gordon at Easter Road as Hibernian prepare to pay tribute to their former chairman.
Gordon tragically passed away aged just 68 last month following a battle with cancer and his death sent shockwaves through his club and Scottish football.
Hibernian have a series of events planned for before and during the Premiership fixture with Rangers on Wednesday evening in what will be their first home outing since Gordon's death.
The SPFL staged a minutes applause ahead of the Viaplay Cup final between Rangers and Celtic but the mark of commemoration was cut short after being interrupted by supporters.
And Beale has called on the travelling fans to play their part in the events to remember Gordon as the Easter Road crowd say farewell to the American businessman.
Beale said: "I just think whenever there is a minutes silence or minutes applause, it is the respect for the family. The family of the person, we can all relate to that, can’t we?
"Whether it is a minutes applause or a minutes silence, everybody should give it the same respect they would want for themselves."
Rangers make the trip to Easter Road aiming to keep their slim Premiership title chances on track after recovering from their Hampden defeat with victory over Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Goals from Connor Goldson, Fashion Sakala and James Tavernier earned all three points at Ibrox as Beale's side extended their unbeaten league run.
Beale is bemused that one of the showpiece fixtures of the Scottish game is not being screened live on the television and he knows both sets of supporters have a part to play in making the occasion what it is.
Beale said: "It has an edge to it. It is important the edge stays on the football pitch for both teams. This is a good game in the calendar for the Scottish league, especially with the two teams in good form.
"I am expecting a really tough game. The passion of the fans, we don’t want to dampen down. It has just got to be in the right way."
