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No Away Fans for Next Two Old Firm Clashes as Celtic Revoke Rangers’ Tickets

The ongoing ticket dispute between Celtic and Rangers has escalated, with the latest development revealing that away fans will be locked out of the next two Old Firm matches. This decision comes after another fallout between the two Glasgow giants, putting the long-standing rivalry on even more contentious ground.

Initially, an agreement was struck last season to allocate around five percent of tickets to away fans at both Celtic Park and Ibrox for Old Firm games. This arrangement meant that approximately 2,500 supporters from each club would be able to attend the derby matches at their rival’s stadium for the upcoming season and beyond. However, recent events have led to a significant reversal of this agreement, with Celtic raising concerns over the arrangements for the New Year’s derby.

Celtic is set to host the first Old Firm clash of the season against Rangers on September 1 at Parkhead. During the summer, Celtic invested heavily in extra security measures both inside and outside their stadium to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the high-profile fixture. These enhancements were put in place with the expectation that Rangers would do the same at Ibrox ahead of the January 2 clash, which will see Celtic traveling to Govan.

However, it has now emerged that Rangers have faced delays in implementing similar security upgrades at their temporary home, Hampden Park. The Ibrox club is currently playing their home games at the national stadium due to ongoing renovations at Ibrox, and this has complicated the situation further. Without the necessary security guarantees from Rangers, Celtic has decided to revoke the away ticket allocation for their rivals for next month’s match at Parkhead.

This decision means that Rangers supporters will not be in attendance at Celtic Park for the first Old Firm derby of the season. The Hoops’ refusal to make away tickets available to their rivals has also sparked expectations that Rangers will likely respond in kind. It is anticipated that Rangers will deny Celtic fans the chance to attend the second Old Firm fixture of the season at Ibrox on January 2, continuing the pattern of limiting away fan presence at these high-stakes games.

The tension over ticket allocations is not a new issue for these two clubs, who have frequently clashed over the years on matters both on and off the pitch. The decision to exclude away fans from the next two Old Firm matches is seen as a significant step backward, given the previous agreement to increase the away allocation and bring back the intense atmosphere that only a passionate mix of home and away supporters can create.

For both sets of fans, this latest development will come as a disappointment. Old Firm derbies are renowned for their electric atmosphere, driven by the fervent support of both clubs’ followers. The absence of away fans at these fixtures will undoubtedly affect the experience, although safety concerns and logistical issues appear to have taken precedence over maintaining tradition.

As things stand, the first Old Firm game of the 2024/25 season will take place on September 1 at Celtic Park, but only Celtic supporters will be in attendance. Similarly, should Rangers adopt a similar stance for the January 2 derby, Ibrox will be filled solely with Rangers fans, further heightening the already intense rivalry between these two clubs.

With no resolution in sight, it remains to be seen how this ticket row will evolve as the season progresses, but for now, away fans will be missing from the next two Old Firm encounters, marking a significant change in how these iconic fixtures are experienced.