The Ibrox chief insists such problems are nowhere near as prevalent as they once were but still continue to dominate headlines and political agendas.

Murray's comments come at a time when there is an ongoing row over a minority of Rangers fans indulging in discriminatory chanting, in particular 'the Famine Song'.

"It is absolutely right that fans' behaviour comes under scrutiny but it now seems to becoming an obsession in the media and political arenas as well as amongst supporters," Murray told www.rangers.co.uk.

"We are facing the real possibility of losing sight of the bigger picture, which is that watching football in Scotland is generally safe and must be a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone.

"On Saturday, for example, at Ibrox we had more than 100 servicemen and women recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan as our guests. They were given a tremendous welcome and reception and any fan in the ground will tell you that this is the kind of thing they want to see and read about. It was a great moment.

"Our fans went home happy after the team's performance and a great afternoon's entertainment. That is what matters to them and to the overwhelming majority of football fans around the country as they follow their teams.

"We were also delighted to support on Saturday the launch of the annual Show Racism the Red Card initiative which keeps up the good work that has been done in Scotland over many years and has helped make Scotland a place where racism is nowhere near as prevalent an issue as it is elsewhere.

"However, you would not think that Scotland has even emerged from the dark ages in terms of racism or sectarianism when you see the endless obsession there is with these issues that now involves clubs, supporters, the media and politicians.

"No-one wants to see any kind of anti-social behaviour but common sense ought to prevail and there should be a sense of proportion. The reality is that sectarianism and racism are not the problems they once were in this country.

"I think most people would share my view that social ills such as drugs and obesity are now more burning issues.

"It would be absurd to suggest these problems do not exist but we need to put them in perspective."

Dundee United and Dundee joined forces at the weekend to condemn what they believed to be comments attributed to Murray about a problem with sectarianism among their own fans, a situation which has now been clarified by the Rangers chairman and both clubs.

Murray added: "At the weekend I was quoted in one newspaper talking about the type of comments that appear on unofficial fans' websites. I mentioned Dundee and Dundee United as examples of how rival supporters wind each other up on websites and that it is not just something that happens solely in the west of Scotland.

"The next thing that was then being suggested was that I was accusing them of sectarianism which was not the case. My actual quote made no reference to this, but that is the conclusion that was drawn.

"What I was actually suggesting is that vicious comments that appear on unofficial websites are commonplace. They do a great disservice to the game and are given far too much credibility in the media. That can be the case regarding almost any club.

"Both Rangers and Celtic have been written to recently by the football authorities about chanting at football grounds. As clubs we will have to deal with these inquiries but we share our fans' frustration that all too often the focus is placed too heavily on Rangers supporters.

"We are left wondering what impact this continual fixation will have on the reputation of Scottish football and can only conclude that it will be negative and damaging.

"When I took over this club 20 years ago there were fundamental problems and I think there is general recognition we have travelled a long way since then.

"We have a lot to be proud of about the game in Scotland and we should keep a sense of perspective on the issues and challenges we all face in one form or another."