Writing in the "Herald" newspaper Speirs described witnessing first hand the abuse directed at the Celtic player:
"At one point early in the first half, Baldé sauntered over towards a corner of the Copland Road stand to take a throw-in. The image of this player collecting the ball, set against a frieze of around 100 supporters leaping up and down in their seats in imitation of apes, remains fixed in the mind. To this observer, it was one of those moments when there was a qualitative difference between idle comment about racism and the horror of it actually happening."
Amazingly, though, every Scottish Tabloid newspaper has managed to avoid the matter, and given that in the two weeks leading up to the old firm game most of them colluded in waging a smear campaign against Balde that, at it's height, reached almost hysterical proportions, they must stand accused this morning of being party to stirring up the racial hatred that was so evident amongst the Rangers support in the Copeland road stand.
To his credit Balde ignored the abuse that surfaced every time he was involved in the play and went on to have a fine game. It would be such a pity, though, if such a fine promising young player was driven away from the Scottish game by the acts of a significant minority.
Ibrox Park continues to be a cauldron of hatred on match days. From the moment the players emerge from the tunnel to the strains of the club anthem bellowing out, "F*** the Pope", the poison atmosphere is evident throughout the ninety minutes - and not just at old firm games.
Surely now, here is the chance for Rangers Chairman David Murray to make a significant gesture and identify those who carried out the verbal assaults on Sunday and ban them en - masse from Ibrox. There is no doubt that the Ibrox club will have security footage of the incidents - wether they choose to use it to good purpose is another matter.