We must say we very much appreciate our audience. You guys and gals have given us your time, you’ve chewed our content, agreed and disagreed and given us all great debate that always gives food for thought.

But in that recent Jermain Defoe article, in which, yes, some of our misgivings about Defoe’s selection were strongly worded, a number of supporters decided the best way to show they didn’t agree was to slam the article, attack the site, and slur the page.

We’ll be frank – Ibrox Noise has been running for 10 years, giving everyone a platform to be heard, even if their views were strongly opposed to ours. Because that’s fine – we don’t mind people disagreeing. As much as we all want approval, not everyone is going to give it.

But for a Rangers Family, there are far too many occasions when a few members start to attack the authors, the site, and even fellow members.

In the past year the fb page has grown beyond 50,000, for which we’re very grateful, and we have hundreds of thousands of readers monthly.

This gives us a little leeway that a lot of people appreciate the output and enjoy the content. It gives us the reassurance you like our honesty, straight-talking and our accommodation of opposition views.

But when those opposition views get personal, it’s time to reflect.

We understand people get emotional in the heat of the moment, and say things they sometimes regret, but there can be no excuse for the abuse.

Are we engaging in victim culture? Absolutely not – we’re big boys and girls on Ibrox Noise, and we can handle the abuse. It doesn’t mean we HAVE to though.

We are people, just like you, and we’re human, just like you. If you don’t agree with an article, you’re welcome to share that difference of opinion – but abusive aggression and personal insults are not what a site like ours should (and will) tolerate.

It’s our contention Defoe has had a poor pre-season, is reaching the end of his career and Sporting Director Ross Wilson has already confirmed the former Spurs star will mostly transition into coaching come the end of pre-season. This is why we’d rather see Cedric Itten given a chance to prove himself.

Does Stevie G know what he’s doing? Absolutely he does – he’s earned that trust.

But an article questioning one decision doesn’t mean we’re attacking Stevie or slating anyone.

It just means, like many of you about our articles, we don’t agree with something/a decision and we’re expressing it.

We may well be wrong, and Defoe is ready to show his undoubted class again – but we don’t deserve to be lambasted for suggesting otherwise.

We are Rangers fans, like you, and we will always want what’s best for the club. If it turns out Defoe is what’s best, sure, we got it wrong. Time will tell there.

But just remember the next time you disagree with us that abuse, slurs, and personal attacks are now over, and we want Ibrox Noise to be a hospitable environment for everyone – not least the writers.

WATP. And that doesn’t change.