Sheriff has his Way with Rangers

Sheriff George Way was presiding over the case of William Smith, 44, who had admitted an assault charge at his home in May.

His defence lawyer said that Smith was “capable of dealing with the difficulties in his life if he keeps a lid on his drinking”.

Sheriff Way replied: “Yes, I’m of the opinion that with any form of addiction or obsession in life — whether that’s drink, drugs or indeed supporting Rangers, which has become rather pointless — the impetus has to be on the person to continue that progress or everything stops.”

After sentencing was deferred, Sheriff Way continued his commentary on Rangers before the next case called, noting their defeat in the Europa League last week to Luxembourg’s Progres Niederkorn.

He said: “Most people don’t even know where Luxembourg is, let alone the team that came fourth in the league.

“They weren’t even first— they were fourth.

“I think Dundee is even bigger than Luxembourg, isn’t it? It’s depressing.”