Confirmed: SPFL foe placated as Celtic Park allocation confirmed

By Euan Davidson

November 19, 2021

Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian have been given an allocation of 752 away tickets for Celtic Park on the 2nd of December.

Hearts confirmed the news on their website earlier today [HMFC].

There was a significant controversy earlier this season, as the impact of Red Zones at Celtic Park kept away fans locked out. Celtic were required to restrict areas of the stadium for the safe movement of players and staff. Ultimately, that put the away section out of bounds for the initial phase of the season.

Hearts were not happy about that. A complaint was lodged to the SFA, with Jambos Chief Executive Andrew McKinlay suggesting that Celtic had the space available for away fans.

Now, with restrictions a thing of the past, Hearts fans will be allowed to attend Celtic Park next month. It’ll be a clash of significant importance, with the Edinburgh side currently placed just below Celtic in the Scottish Premiership [BBC].

Robbie Neilson’s side have been impressive, taking points off both Celtic and Rangers so far this season.

Since that win over Celtic, though, the Bhoys have had their revenge. A 3-2 win over Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup [Daily Record] showed the rapid improvement Postecoglou’s side made between the meetings.

Hopefully whinging from Hearts and SPFL fans about Celtic Park can end now

Despite having their own Red Zones at Tynecastle, Hearts were fuming about the same practice at Celtic Park.

Quite frankly, it was odd. The situation was pretty clear, Covid-19 restrictions were in place, and it seemed everyone knew away games would be difficult to carry out.

Yet, the complaints came. Hopefully now, that’s over. Not only was it hypocritical, it was a distraction from the football itself. After the game in Scotland having been cancelled in late 19-20 to behind closed doors games in 20-21, this was another tedious, long-running saga.

You’d suspect the Hearts fans will snap these tickets up. They’ll probably want more, in fact. These games normally whet the appetite for both supports, and that’ll no doubt remain the case for next month.

With so little, currently, between the teams in the league, a win for Celtic is crucial. One of the more potentially tricky fixtures of the Winter schedule, these games normally have some drama and big moments to pore over.

At least there’ll be no whining about allocation this time.

That’s something.

Read more: Report: Celtic at work on securing two new midfielders in January transfer window