As Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson confirms away ticket allocations will return for the upcoming Old Firms against Celtic, it’s caused a bit of a stir amongst both sets of fans.
Not that the return of away supporters after two Old Firms without them hasn’t been welcomed – in general it has – but the entire thing has once again reignited the allocation conversation.
It’s worth noting that in the first Old Firm game of this season, Rangers couldn’t offer Celtic a ticket allocation without locking out their own season ticket holders due to the Covid-19 red zone.
For many Rangers and Celtic fans, on either side of the debate, it may be one of the only things they actually agree on or one of the many they don’t, but it’s clear Rangers’ initial judgment is here to stay.
Rangers cut the allocation for Celtic from 2018 – traditionally close to 8000 fans and the entire Broomloan Stand – setting off a chain reaction ever since.
Celtic retaliated in kind and now only around 800 – 900 fans attend the games at either stadium; the same as other visiting sides in Scotland.
Rangers fans are largely split on the Celtic ticket allocation issue.
For some the club have initiated the cutting of the season’s best away day, whilst for others Celtic’s reciprocal allocation didn’t match Rangers handing the Parkhead side the Broomloan.
This forced Rangers season tickets holders – and the club’s Ultras – to a different part of the stadium and it’s in defence of those ticketed supporters that Rangers themselves are most vocal.
Rangers and Celtic fans split on ticket allocation
Rangers’ allocation was spread out across a corner at Celtic Park, something that many believe doesn’t offer the same advantage afforded Celtic at Ibrox, who used to be given a stand behind the goal.
Others just don’t want Celtic fans in the stadium and enjoy anything that winds them up, whilst there is a clear advantage to ensuring your own fans dominate the ground as the last two games in particular have proven.
Many Celtic supporters have not enjoyed the cut allocation at all and harking back to humblings of old, ironically believe that arguments about playing advantages are going to sway Rangers or Rangers fans.
Bleating into the void are the likes of self-confessed “paranoid lunatic” Paul Larkin – see his Twitter bio – who suggested “it’s Broomloan or bust” urging Celtic to reject any allocation.
Then there was John Hartson, pitching in with his two cents and taking the opportunity – shock, horror – to position Rangers as the aggressors and good, old, honest Celtic as the aggrieved.
But Rangers media partners Heart & Hand and specifically David Edgar – someone who clearly has close links to people within Rangers – claims Celtic aren’t quite so perturbed by the entire thing as their most fervant supporters would suggest.
Speaking on the platform’s Daily Update [15/02/22], and whilst he acknowledged the differences in opinion the matter, Edgar claimed that there are plenty within Celtic Park who’re happy with the arrangement.
“It’s one of these ones, some people like it, some people don’t,” said Edgar.
“I think it’s made a hell of a difference to both sides. I think home advantage is a huge thing now in Old Firm matches.
“I think it’s something that you’re likely to see stay for a while. The thing about it is that Celtic don’t really want to change it either, they’re quite happy with this arrangement.
“Rangers clearly don’t want to change it so it’s not going to get changed, certainly not for a few years. I suspect in time it will.”
Whatever your view on the situation – be you a Rangers or Celtic fan – it appears both clubs are happy enough with the current arrangement and for now at least, it’s here to stay.
Meanwhile, the Gers will be taking part in some wonderfully unique celebrations when they visit Borussia Dortmund this week.
