Rankin offers an apology......of sorts
A statement from his agent Nick Johnson said the striker "has apologised for his actions after scoring against his employers at the weekend.
"After finding the net in Grimsby's 6-1 win, Rankin celebrated wildly in front of the Barnsley fans before exchanging angry words with the Tykes' bench.
"But the former Arsenal player insists he was wrong to react the way he did in response to insults from the visiting supporters."
Rankin added: "Obviously I did not expect a standing ovation but I certainly did not expect the wholesale abuse with which I was greeted. I know my actions will be seen as insensitive by a number of the fans, but were they any more insensitive than the views expressed in my general direction by the fans before I had even kicked a ball on Saturday? I somehow doubt it!"
"It is always going to be slightly contentious when any player faces his club whilst on loan at another," said Rankin.
"With this in mind I had decided prior to the game that should I score, I would respectfully try not to celebrate. However, after receiving my fair share of stick from the crowd, I changed my mind and decided to celebrate.
"If Barnsley did not want me to score or play against them than perhaps they could have stipulated that when the loan was agreed. I am sure the situation could have been handled slightly differently."
Barnsley manager Gudjon Thordarson has promised to deal with Rankin when he returns from his month on loan.
"After finding the net in Grimsby's 6-1 win, Rankin celebrated wildly in front of the Barnsley fans before exchanging angry words with the Tykes' bench.
"But the former Arsenal player insists he was wrong to react the way he did in response to insults from the visiting supporters."
Rankin added: "Obviously I did not expect a standing ovation but I certainly did not expect the wholesale abuse with which I was greeted. I know my actions will be seen as insensitive by a number of the fans, but were they any more insensitive than the views expressed in my general direction by the fans before I had even kicked a ball on Saturday? I somehow doubt it!"
"It is always going to be slightly contentious when any player faces his club whilst on loan at another," said Rankin.
"With this in mind I had decided prior to the game that should I score, I would respectfully try not to celebrate. However, after receiving my fair share of stick from the crowd, I changed my mind and decided to celebrate.
"If Barnsley did not want me to score or play against them than perhaps they could have stipulated that when the loan was agreed. I am sure the situation could have been handled slightly differently."
Barnsley manager Gudjon Thordarson has promised to deal with Rankin when he returns from his month on loan.