RIVAL Old Firm bosses Barry Ferguson and Brendan Rodgers united today in hoping the Old Firm peace deal paves the way to a return to full away day capacity.
As we first revealed, travelling fans are back at the home of their bitter rivals – starting with next month’s derby at Celtic Park.
The dispute – which dates back to 2018 – is over after Rangers and Celtic agreed to end the lockout which has been in place for two years.
It means Ferguson will now have the support of 2,400 Light Blues fans inside Parkhead for his first Old Firm game in charge.
The interim Ibrox gaffer has welcomed the news and admits he hopes the full quota of 7,000 away fans will be restored soon.
Ferguson said: “It’s good to hear.
“It’ll be good that the fans take part.
“I’ve always said it’s something that the fixtures miss.
“In an ideal situation, it would be great if there was more.
“The way it is, the way it’s happened, you can earn many tickets per game.
“I’m just glad that away supporters are allowed back.
“We’ll wait and see, but at least it’s a start.”
His opposite number Rodgers said: “It’s a big part of the fixture.
“Having been involved in it with the supporters there both when they’re away and then obviously them being taken away, it does make a difference, It is great for the game, it is great for the spectacle of the game and obviously ultimately for the supporters, they get their chance to see their team which is great.
“We just had to get supporters back in the stadiums again, that is the start point.
“Then hopefully it can get somewhere near to what we had before because that created an amazing atmosphere.
“Football as we know is about the rivalry and there’s arguably no greater rivalry than Celtic vs Rangers in world football.
“There’s many great derbies but this is an exceptional one and it’s just good to have both sets of supporters in. It always adds to the spectacle.”
Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic around 700 away supporters were allowed to attend games at Ibrox and Celtic Park.
But this fell apart after nasty scenes during the New Year‘s clash of 2023, with Celtic citing fears over fan safety as their reason for refusing future allocations.
Brendan Rodgers at training[/caption]
Rangers also highlighted negative experiences for their fans at Parkhead and both sides have struggled to agree on a solution ever since.
The SPFL stepped in last season to demand that the two Glasgow rivals end their feud over access to visiting supporters.
An agreement was reached to allow a five per-cent away allocation at each venue, starting this campaign.
But the freeze on away fans continued after Celtic wrote to Rangers ahead of the first derby fixture of the current season to say they would NOT be welcoming travelling supporters for the September 1 match at Parkhead.
Celtic had spent a six-figure sum on planning for Rangers’ visit but they claimed the Ibrox club hadn’t done the same on their end.
Of course, at that time, the Light Blues were still playing out of Hampden after delays forced them to up sticks from Ibrox for several weeks to start the season.
Gers responded to the fall out and said they had been “taking all steps” towards the agreement, and returned the favour for the next derby at Ibrox by saying no Celtic fans would be allowed in.
But after constructive talks involving all parties, the March 16 meeting between the sides WILL see away fans welcomed back.
Rangers will then reciprocate in the post-split fixture at Ibrox.
Celtic wrote: “We can confirm that following the previous SPFL determination from last year and with necessary requirements being addressed, away supporters will be present at the next two Glasgow derby matches this season at Celtic Park (March 16) and Ibrox.
“Allocations will be around 4% of saleable capacity at both stadia
Barry Ferguson with Neil McCann and Issame Charai[/caption]
“Further ticket information will be provided in due course.”
The Ibrox club said: “Rangers supporters will be able to attend our match with Celtic on March 16, with the two clubs agreeing for a reciprocal percentage of tickets to be allocated to away fans.
“Approximately four per-cent of saleable capacity at both stadia will be given to the visiting club, with everyone at Rangers looking forward to having the backing of our supporters in the East End of Glasgow in just over a fortnight’s time.
“The arrangement will then be repeated for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox following the split.
“Specific ticketing information will be communicated to eligible supporters in due course.”
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