Rangers manager Derek McInnes has expressed his disappointment following the announcement that there will be no away fans permitted at the upcoming Old Firm matches this season. This decision comes after Celtic contested the limited allocation of just 300 tickets for their League Cup encounter at Ibrox on September 13.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) made the ruling in response to Celtic's challenge regarding the ticket distribution, which was significantly reduced after previous incidents of crowd trouble. In last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final, Celtic had been allocated the traditional 8,000 tickets, but due to issues during that match, the number was subsequently lowered to 2,500.
With the ongoing tensions surrounding the fixture, the SPFL has opted to prohibit all away fans from attending matches at Ibrox. This decision has drawn criticism from various quarters, including McInnes, who highlighted the importance of having away supporters present in such high-stakes games.
“Obviously it’s disappointing,” McInnes remarked shortly after learning of the decision. He indicated that he was not fully briefed on the club's stance regarding the matter, suggesting that it would be more appropriate for the club to issue an official statement. He emphasized that having opposing fans in attendance enhances the atmosphere of derby matches.
“It’s always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game,” McInnes continued. “There’s still got to be behaviours met, and obviously that’s the decision that’s been made.” He acknowledged that discussions surrounding the fan allocation had been ongoing, and the sudden announcement caught him off guard.
McInnes further elaborated on the broader implications of the decision, stating that in any fixture, it is beneficial for supporters to be able to watch their teams live. He recognized the complexities surrounding the Old Firm rivalry and the need for careful consideration of all factors involved.
The absence of away fans at these matches could significantly alter the dynamics of the encounters, which are already charged with historical rivalry and competitive tension. As the season progresses, the implications of this decision will likely be felt not only by the teams but also by the fans who eagerly anticipate these thrilling clashes.
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