Celtic hit back in Old Firm ticket row as Rangers slam SPFL response to 'grossly unfair' away fans situation

Rangers unhappy that no away fans will be inside Celtic Park on December 30

Rangers fans during a cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 1, 2022. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

Rangers have expressed “extreme disappointment” that their fans will not be at Celtic Park for the derby on December 30 amid an ongoing row over Old Firm away allocations.

Celtic refused around 700 tickets for the trip to Ibrox earlier in the season, citing safety concerns, with the Parkhead club keen for a return to the more traditional away allocation at both grounds of around 7,500 supporters.

Rangers wanted 700 to 800 tickets for the return fixture in the east end of Glasgow and took their case to the Scottish Professional Football League. But despite SPFL Rule I27 stating that “the home club must make provision for the admission of such reasonable numbers of visiting supporters” the Ibrox club were left unhappy.

Rangers say it is “grossly unfair” that despite winning a case put to an SPFL board sub-committee, which agreed Celtic’s stance of providing zero tickets was unreasonable, an appropriate number could not be reached due to a lack of evidence submitted by Celtic.

A Rangers statement read: “Despite winning a case put to an SPFL board sub-committee, Rangers FC, with extreme disappointment, will not have any supporters present at Parkhead for the Old Firm match on December 30.

“The sub-committee agreed with Rangers that Celtic FC’s stance of providing zero tickets to Rangers’ fans was unreasonable. Despite the fact that the sub-committee agreed with Rangers, the sub-committee was unwilling to determine what a ‘reasonable’ number of tickets for the fixture would be.

“The sub-committee was unable to determine this reasonable number due to the fact that the other party had not submitted enough evidence on this issue, despite having ample opportunity to do so in the weeks and months leading up to the hearing.

“Rangers’ position has always been clear. We want away fans from all clubs at our stadium and wish for that to be reciprocated when we travel to other clubs’ grounds. This decision calls into question the effectiveness, and highlights the procedural defects, of SPFL Rule I27.

“To Rangers, it is grossly unfair that if a club (in this case Celtic) fails to submit sufficient evidence as part of such proceedings, it effectively ties the hands of a sub-committee in being able to determine what a reasonable number of tickets should be; especially when the sub-committee agrees that the reasonable number cannot be zero.”

Celtic said they stood by their decision and would look to address the issue of reasonable allocations next year. The club said in a statement: “We are pleased that the sub-committee recognised the importance of safety and matchday experience issues in considering the question of a reasonable allocation for both fixtures. While respecting the ongoing process, Celtic stands by its decision not to allocate any tickets for away supporters for the match on 30 December. Celtic will continue to focus on the importance of safety and matchday experience issues as we look to address reasonable allocations at Celtic Park and Ibrox from next year, in a responsible manner.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​