Sickening anti-Rangers graffiti on Ayrshire Orange Hall mocks Ibrox disaster victims ahead of Old Firm clash

Vile anti-Rangers graffiti mocking Ibrox disaster victims has appeared on an Ayrshire Orange Hall ahead of today's Old Firm clash.

The sickening attack is understood to have taken place last night at the Orange Hall in Irvine.

"IRA" and "66 died" were among the nasty remarks daubed on the town centre venue.

The shock discovery was made late last night with police called to the incident.

The vandalism takes place months after the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster was marked.

The sick graffiti on the Orange Hall (Submitted/Kilmarnock Standard)

A total of 66 Rangers fans were crushed to death at Ibrox during an Old Firm game in January of 1971, one of the worst stadium disasters in history.

Hours after the horrid graffiti was discovered locals had painted over the remarks with white paint.

Police attended the hall after the discovery was made late last night (Submitted/Kilmarnock Standard)

Officers attended the Kirkgate venue last night as around 20 outraged residents turned out to peer at the vandalism.

Celtic will host Rangers for the penultimate Old Firm clash of the season today.

Steven Gerrard's men head to Celtic Park as newly-crowned champions after winning their first top-flight title in a decade.

Locals turned out to peer at the graffiti (Submitted/Kilmarnock Standard)

There were fears the clash would be cancelled after Rangers fans gathered in huge numbers to celebrate winning the Scottish Premiership earlier this month.

But the Scottish Government gave the green light for the clash on Friday to go ahead as scheduled as a significant policing operation is implemented in case fans turn out for the match.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police are investigating a report of a vandalism to a building in Kirkgate, Irvine, which was reported on the evening of Saturday, March 20.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 4195 of Saturday, March 20, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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