Away fans could make return for next two Celtic and Rangers derby clashes

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Celtic and Rangers are reportedly in talks to reinstate away allocations at both Parkhead and Ibrox for the next two derby meetings.

The Glasgow giants have been embroiled in a dispute over away attendances at derby games since 2018 at a time when Celtic regularly got the upper hand over Rangers.

The Light Blues initially slashed Celtic’s traditional 8,000-strong away allocation at Ibrox to just 800 punters, with the Hoops then reciprocating for Rangers’ allocation at Celtic Park.

Away allocations were then diminished altogether during the 2022/23 campaign when the final two meetings between the pair saw no visiting supporters permitted to either Ibrox or Celtic Park.

This stemmed out of Celtic’s trip to Ibrox on January 2 last year when our visiting fans were pelted with glass bottles thrown by Rangers fans.

As such, the Bhoys cited safety reasons as the main factor in not allowing any Rangers fans to the following derby at Parkhead and since then, no resolution has been arrived at.

However, according to The Times, there has been a significant development in discussions between Celtic and Rangers as the SPFL attempt to act as peacemaker.

Celtic and Rangers away fans update

The Times’ Michael Grant reports that negotiations between Celtic and Rangers over future derby away fan allocations have commenced.

The next clash is on Saturday, April 6 in Govan and there could be as many as 750 Celtic fans there to cheers on the Bhoys.

Rangers could then be allowed a similar number of supporters at Celtic Park for the final derby fixture of the season after the split.

The wider issue of away fan allocations at Scottish Premiership grounds could see a big change in the official SPFL rules and regulations, which currently state that the home side should make provisions for a ‘reasonable number’ of visiting fans at every league match.

Grant reports that there could be a time when both Celtic and Rangers must provide 2.5 percent of their stadium’s seat to visiting fans, which would work out as 1510 seats at Parkhead. For Ibrox, the figure would be around 1274 seats.

However, this is merely noted as a suggestion – just as it was in October – and further meetings and debates with every Premiership club will be required to thrash out solutions.