“RANGERS INFLUENCE” – Mikey Moore forgets he is a professional as deleted social media post sends Celtic fans into meltdown.
Celtic have been plunged into fresh controversy just hours after confirming the sacking of manager Wilfried Nancy, following a humiliating defeat in the Glasgow derby, after Rangers goal scorer Mikey Moore ignited outrage with a reckless social media post that quickly went viral.
Nancy’s dismissal was announced earlier today after what the club described as an “unacceptable” performance and result in the derby, a defeat that ultimately sealed his fate amid weeks of growing pressure. Many Celtic supporters were still processing the news when Moore, one of the standout performers in the match, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account and poured fuel on an already raging fire.
In a now-deleted post, Moore wrote that Wilfried Nancy had been “finished by Rangers,” adding that Rangers are “clearly superior.” He topped it off with the phrase “RANGERS INFLUENCE,” a line that instantly triggered fury among Celtic fans and raised serious questions about professionalism and respect.
Although the post was deleted within minutes, screenshots spread rapidly across social media, ensuring the damage was already done.
Celtic supporters reacted with anger and disbelief, accusing Moore of deliberately mocking a rival club at its lowest moment and disrespecting the values of the derby. Many fans labelled the post “provocative,” “unprofessional,” and “disgraceful,” especially given the timing—just after a manager had lost his job.
“This is not banter, this is arrogance,” one fan wrote.
“He knew exactly what he was doing,” another added.
“Delete or not, the message was clear.”
The backlash has also reignited debate about player conduct in the age of social media, particularly in fixtures as emotionally charged as the Old Firm derby. Former players and pundits have weighed in, stressing that professionals must understand the weight of their words, especially when rival fans are already on edge.
From a Celtic perspective, the incident has deepened the sense of humiliation surrounding the derby defeat. Nancy’s tenure ended amid criticism over tactics, discipline, and an apparent disconnect with supporters, and Moore’s post has been seen by many as rubbing salt into an open wound.
Rangers fans, on the other hand, were quick to celebrate the post, sharing it widely and hailing Moore for “speaking the truth,” while others warned that such comments could come back to haunt him in future derbies.
As of now, neither Rangers nor Moore have released an official statement addressing the post, but sources suggest the club is aware of the situation and the reaction it has caused. There is also growing speculation that the Scottish FA or club officials may privately remind players of their responsibilities online.
For Celtic, this episode compounds a painful day. Losing a manager is one thing; watching a rival player publicly celebrate it is another. As the club turns toward rebuilding and appointing a new head coach, the scars from this derby—and the words that followed—are likely to linger far longer than 90 minutes of football.
