RANGERS captain Barry Ferguson has launched an appeal for the Ibrox support to behave ahead of the new season.

RANGERS captain Barry Ferguson has launched an appeal for the Ibrox support to behave ahead of the new season.

The club will continue to target sectarian singing and crackdown on "unsporting" behaviour at matches and around grounds.

The latest initiative, launched to coincide with the start of the SPL, aims to build on the work carried out as part of the anti-bigotry drive Pride Over Prejudice.

Kenny Scott, Rangers security and operations manager, has drafted a series of measures to improve the matchday atmosphere at Ibrox.

Officials unveiled four new flags, to be displayed at each stand, at the launch at Murray Park.

It is understood fans' representatives were involved in drawing up the new strategy.

Assistant boss Ally McCoist, club legend Sandy Jardine, and Under-19's captain Dean Furman joined Ferguson at the event.

McCoist said: "Our fans need to put on a show that makes them the pride of football."

Last season undercover stewards were deployed at home games to identify fans who sang bigoted songs.

Fans' leaders also launched a self-policing initiative in a bid to "isolate" supporters who bring shame on the club.

The travelling support was issued with anti-bigotry guidance and websites urged fans not to travel without officially endorsed tickets.

Groups warned members they could suspend ticket allocations for away ties in Europe this season, if a hardcore minority didn't behave.

Rangers launched Pride Over Prejudice, the club's first high profile anti-bigotry campaign, four years ago.

Ibrox season ticket holders and supporters' clubs were issued with new guidelines warning sectarianism will not be tolerated in the stadium.

The club ordered fans to ditch flags, banners and clothing of an offensive, racist or paramilitary nature.

David Edgar, of the Rangers Supporters Trust, said: "The vast majority of fans have reacted positively to the various initiatives.

"They deserve praise for self policing and cutting out the unacceptable behaviour.

"Last season, there was a feeling of uncertanty at games because the supporters were unsure of what was acceptable.

"This year, we will be looking for the fans to get behind the team from the start of every match."

Celtic is also tackling bigotry. They've already banned fans from Parkhead who sing sectarian songs during games.

And they ran a week of events targeting 2500 schoolkids through music and drama this year.