Rangers write to SPFL amid latest drama
Rangers have written to the Scottish Professional Football League to reinforce their expectation for a ticket allocation for their away clash against Celtic, according to the Scottish Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported in their print edition (18 August, back page and pg 76) that Celtic’s rejection of tickets for their Ibrox visit in September was due to safety concerns, but the Gers claim they are prepared to find a solution.
The past two derbies have been without away fans, but Rangers claim under SPFL rule i27 that all clubs must provide “admission of such reasonable numbers of visiting supporters at every home league match”.
Boiling point
As the ticket situation reaches boiling point, fans of both clubs will hope it is resolved quickly.
Rangers are keen to see away fans at both fixtures this season, with chief executive James Bisgrove saying: “Our belief is that away fans add so much to football, the colour, the vibrancy, no matter the game.
“Then you look at the Old Firm, and having away fans is a positive for stadium atmosphere and the spectacle worldwide.”
One of the biggest reasons why the Old Firm is revered as one of the best rivalries in world football is the atmosphere generated at either Ibrox or Celtic Park.
As reported in the Scottish Sun (17 August), the Hoops want to block Rangers fans from attending Celtic Park in December over safety fears. While this is naturally an understandable concern, the Gers’ commitment to resolving this issue should mean this issue is put to bed.
Both sets of fans will hope this gets resolved quickly. Football is very little without the supporters behind it and no one another away fan-less Old Firm.
With Celtic’s position made clear, the issue is far from resolved.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson shared his verdict on who could be the Gers’ next captain.