New protocol for Rangers fans ahead of the Glasgow Derby on March 31st proves Celtic are flexing their muscles.
Celtic have informed Rangers supporters that they must arrive at Parkhead well ahead of kick-off. The Ibrox club’s fans have been told to congregate outside the Chris Hoy velodrome at 10:30 on March 31st. That’s a full hour-and-a-half before the game.
Celtic claim they’ve been in contact with Police Scotland, and want all away fans in the ground by 11:15. If they don’t follow those instructions, Rangers fans may not be allowed in to the stadium until after kick-off.
This was released through a statement on the Rangers website. Supporters have since been acting angrily to the new protocol on social media.
But, the truth is, Rangers created the rod that’s now striking their own back. This has all stemmed from Rangers chairman Dave King’s petty decision to cut Celtic’s allocation at Ibrox.
The Hoops subsequently have done the same for Rangers fans, and it’s resulted in this kind of fallout.
They can’t complain to Celtic
Rangers supporters are in absolutely no position to complain about their treatment at Parkhead. The only man they should be aiming their anger at is King, which they won’t.
In the last match in September, Rangers fans were locked in well after the game had finished. This was to halt any breaches of the peace outside of the stadium. Therefore, it’s not inconceivable that the Ibrox club’s fans are in the stadium for a good three hours or so.
If Rangers want to halt this kind of stuff, they should seriously consider giving Celtic their allocation back for the Broomloan Road stand at Ibrox. In return, Celtic have already stated they would be open to discussions on the matter. That likely means the Hoops would grant Rangers their original Parkhead allocation back too.
But, of course, Rangers simply took their ball and went home. They weren’t playing anymore. Big bad Celtic had given them too many embarrassments at their own venue, and it just comes across as though King and Rangers couldn’t take it anymore.
If the Ibrox club want to start being grown-ups about it? Then it’s time they got in touch to sort it out.
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