Rangers have again been left with no option but to ask their supporters to stop singing an offensive song after fresh political pressure was brought to bear on the club yesterday.

A section of Ibrox fans has recently taken to singing a particular chant about the Irish-Catholic community in Scotland. The song was given fresh volume and expression at last month’s Old Firm match at Celtic Park.

Yesterday Rangers admitted that they have been working behind the scenes in conjunction with Strathclyde Police to try to have the song – unofficially known as “The Famine Song” – stamped out. The club even warned that supporters could be arrested if caught indulging in the chant. The song refers to the Irish famine of the 1840s which killed an estimated one million people and triggered mass migration to Scotland, and includes the line: “The famine’s over . . . why don’t you go home?”

A Rangers official said yesterday: “In the days following the recent Old Firm match the club was made aware that a substantial number of complaints had been made regarding the singing of a song known as ‘The Famine Song’ at this match.

“Rangers Football Club approached Strathclyde Police for guidance on this matter, with a view to issuing a joint statement indicating that persons singing this song in future may face the possibility of arrest.

“Strathclyde Police were not able to commit to this until they had carried out further investigation. It is, however, the club’s view that the interests of our supporters and the club will be best served by supporters refraining from singing ‘The Famine Song’ ”.

The official added that the club had a long-established policy of discouraging the singing of songs which others found offensive.

Irish diplomats have raised concerns with the Scottish Government after complaints were made about Rangers in recent weeks. The Scottish Government confirmed that it had been advised by Ireland’s Consul General about concerns being raised by the conduct of supporters.

Yesterday’s move was the latest of numerous recent cases which have caused Rangers embarrassment, when the club has been forced to ask its supporters to refrain from bigoted or offensive chanting.

In 2006, after considerable pressure and embarrassment in the media, Rangers were forced to urge supporters to stop singing “The Billy Boys”, which was infamous for its bigoted sentiments. At the time, Uefa intervened and fined and warned Rangers over the conduct of their fans.

Sir David Murray, the Rangers chairman, has recently commented on the image of his club and a section of its supporters. Murray is known to want to sell his 90 per cent controlling interest in the club and openly rued Rangers fans’ rioting in Manchester which marred the Uefa Cup final in May.

The Scottish Government yesterday made no comment on the matter, but insisted that several campaigns against bigotry were starting to work.

An official said: “The Scottish Government is totally committed to combating sectarianism and bigotry, which is why we have expanded on the work of the previous administration and are doing more.”