Carl Frampton sparks Twitter row between Celtic and Rangers fans

CARL Frampton has been widely hailed for embracing both his Irish and British fan base, but the IBF and WBA super bantamweight champion caused a bit of a stir between Celtic and Rangers fans on Tuesday night.

After a four-year absence from the top flight, Rangers secured their place in next season’s Scottish Premiership with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton, although their identity as a club remains source of fun for Celtic fans.

Having been liquidated at the end of the 2011-12, the club were granted admittance to the fourth tier of Scottish football under a new corporate identity before achieving promotion three times in the subsequent four years.

Since the current incarnation is effectively a new club from the one which last played in the Scottish Premiership, many Celtic fans are keen to remind their supporters of Rangers’ demise by only speaking of the current crop as an entirely different entity.

Belfast boxer Frampton, a Crusaders fan, refuses to get drawn into the business side of things, but welcomed Rangers into the top tier in the interests of competitive football, something that has been missing from the division since their demotion in 2012.

Here’s the best of the reaction from Frampton’s tweets on the matter:

@RealCFrampton they've never been in the top division mate,they're only 4 years old .

— Nicky martin (@nickybhoy1888) April 5, 2016

@jonr71 @Rickster1873 @RealCFrampton back means back. Deal with it Timothy.

— Ron SMIB CF1 (@govfront) April 6, 2016

@RealCFrampton All the haters calm down, the man is stating a fact that is good for Scottish football! The return of the Gers!!

— Alan (@alanfalconer7) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton 1st time they'll be in it

— john mcgrady (@mcgrady79) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton well said Carl! Rangers back where they belong!

— James Camblin (@Jamesc945) April 6, 2016

@RealCFrampton just hope this club plays by the rules not like the old one ?

— Big Wallace (@William81517804) April 6, 2016

@RealCFrampton the new clubs first time in top flight. Big step up

— Boss Hog (@Theoldschool01) April 6, 2016

@RealCFrampton - back for the first time, is it?? Too many blows to the head, chief - better take a break, your brain is clearly confused! ?

— Alvin Fitz (@Jon_Crank) April 6, 2016

Renowned for his quick wit, Frampton soon responded to the influx of notifications by clearing up his stance whilst asking his followers to "cool your jets".

@RealCFrampton mentioning the Rangers just brings out the moon howlers mate. Ignore the abuse from the morons. ????

— Thelionbrand (@thelionbrand) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton I'm a Celtic fan & im delighted they back in the top tier. Great for the league & the old firm

— David Hynes (@hynesy1888) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton The old firm died when Rangers did in 2012. Looking forward to playing the tribute act though ?????

— Fergy Bhoy (@fergymoore) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton Tweeting about Scotland's most successful club brings out the obsessed mate. Some are sad and pathetic. We're back!

— Ardoyne RSC Official (@ardoynerangers) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton shouldn't tweet about scottish football! Brings out the loonies (me included)

— Colm (@cohcfc) April 5, 2016

@realcframpton doesn't matter who you support mate we're still behind you. Best SBW in the world!

— Steven McNamara (@steviemac_11) April 5, 2016

@RealCFrampton there is no old firm that mob died.

— ✌Cahill✌ (@Cahillbhoy) April 5, 2016

Finally, seemingly amused by the furore his previous two tweets caused, Frampton used the opportunity to reaffirm his love for Crusaders, who are currently top of the Northern Ireland Football League Premiership as defending champions from 2014-15.

Trending in Glasgow with an equal amount of love and hate last night. Not bad for a @CrusadersFC supporter

— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) April 6, 2016