Rangers have handed Old Firm rivals Celtic 700 tickets for the upcoming Premiership clash at Ibrox amid a war of words between the two clubs regarding briefs.
Reports are claiming that Celtic will receive 700 tickets for the match at Ibrox with most people assuming that this means that Rangers will get the same in kind at Celtic Park [Herald].
It comes amid tensions between the Rangers and Celtic directorate regarding the situation.
Celtic refuted the suggestion from Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson that an agreement had been struck to reinstate an allocation following two Old Firm matches without away fans.
This stemmed from Rangers refusing to hand Celtic an allocation earlier in the season amid a Covid red zone farce that saw away fans locked out and a lack of assurances from the Parkhead club the move would be reciprocated.
Rangers hand Celtic Ibrox tickets amid war of words
There has been an ongoing conversation surrounding allocations ever since Rangers slashed Celtic’s traditional 8000 allocation in 2018, reducing the away capacity by around 90%.
Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson then claimed that the 700-ticket allocation would be reinstated – the ordinary away league support allocation at Ibrox – ahead of the upcoming Old Firm.
“It will be the allocation we’ve had for the last couple of years. Going into next year, and the succeeding years after that, as far as I can see it will still be at that level,” said Robertson [Herald].
“I don’t think that’s underselling the game, I can see why some might think that. From my perspective, a lot of the excitement is what happens on the pitch between Rangers and Celtic.
“I’m comfortable with where we are in terms of the away fans allocation.”
However, Celtic bit back at this suggestion in a statement claiming that they will decide on any future allocations for games at Celtic Park:
“Further to recent media reports regarding ticket allocations for away fans at Celtic Park, to clarify, Celtic determines the allocation for visiting teams at Celtic Park and will confirm the position for future matches at the appropriate time.”
Rangers fans are largely split on the situation with many wanting to be at Parkhead to cheer on their side and others happy to see Celtic fans cut from the stadium.
However, this news – which has yet to be officially confirmed by either club – comes amid protests regarding the upcoming Old Firm friendly at the Sydney Super Cup.
Rangers fans are determined to see the friendly with Celtic in Australia panned and reports are suggesting the game is “in serious doubt” due to the timing of the release of information about the tournament.
We wonder why…
What it does show this board is that by getting into bed with Celtic you are setting yourself up for the unpredictable and let’s just hope that any agreement is upheld by both sides.
Meanwhile, whilst on the pitch the upcoming Premiership clash between Rangers and Celtic promises to be anything but friendly, it is a must win for the Gers.
