Rangers could have the last laugh over Old Firm rivals Celtic as SPFL rules could force the Parkhead club into a rethink over away allocations for an upcoming derby fixture.
News broke this week that Celtic were not intending on offering Rangers any allocation for the Old Firm clash at Celtic Park on January 2nd 2022.
This was after the Parkhead club’s supporters were locked out of the last clash at Ibrox after Celtic failed to give assurances that any allocation would be reciprocated.
This was during a period when the so-called Covid red-zone had to be designated within the stadium, leading both Rangers and Celtic to scrap away allocations and accommodate for season ticket holders.
However, the red-zone was eventually binned at the beginning of October with away fans returning to Ibrox and Celtic Park ever since.
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This was after the likes of Hearts lodged a formal complaint with the SPFL ahead of a clash at Ibrox.
But according to the Scottish Sun, Celtic’s intention not to offer Rangers tickets in the return fixture was confirmed at a recent fans’ forum Q&A attended by numerous high-ranking Parkhead officials.
Rangers could use SPFL rules to intervene in push for Celtic Park tickets
Whilst Celtic fans might be celebrating what they view as a petty victory from their board ahead of the match, SPFL rules suggest Rangers could yet have the last laugh.
The Covid red-zone allowed for clubs to accommodate season-ticket holders but now it’s been scrapped Rangers could cite the professional members’ body’s own statutes to get an allocation.
SPFL rule I27 reads: “The Home club must make provision for the admission of such reasonable number of visiting supporters at every home League Match and Play-Off Match as may be agreed in advance with the Visiting Club and, in the event of their being unable to agree such number not later than 14 days prior to the date of the League Match or Play-Off Match in question, the number of visiting supporters allowed shall be determined by the Board whose decision shall be final and binding.”
So whilst Celtic might be desperate to lock Rangers fans out, there could be 700 or so Spartans in the away end at Celtic Park anyway in news which would come as a major boost to the Ibrox club.
By proxy, it’d send our Old Firm rivals into the mother of all masonic meltdowns before a ball was kicked or whistle blown in the traditional New Year’s clash.
Our neurotic friends to the east have seemingly been hyperventilating into bags aplenty this season as conspiracies run riot and Rangers continue to maintain a strong lead.