BBC pundit issues Rangers and Celtic fan allocation admission ahead of Old Firm derby
Peter Martin and Lee McCulloch have discussed the allocation of away fans at Old Firms ahead of Rangers and Celtic battling it on 30 December.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer Show, both were in agreement that the away support is what makes the game such a spectacle in football.
In recent seasons, there has been a ban on away fans at all Old Firm games, but there have been discussions to revise the numbers.
Martin started the discussion by stating: “7000 Rangers fans and 7000 Celtic fans – it’s what made it special. I accept that there are poisoned elements who just continually spew their sectarian nonsense but there was an element of colour. It had that cackling cacophony of sound and it was a real spectacle.”
McCulloch, BBC pundit said (22 December, 21:56), said: “[It’s a] tremendous occasion when the away team have got the proper allocation. It’s the away end – that’s where the away fans go. When you walk through the tunnel at Ibrox and first see the sea of green and then the blue. It just makes everything, the atmosphere, the occasion for the TV, watching it on TV, it makes it so much better. Hopefully, they can resolve it somehow.”
Get it done
The sentiments expressed by Martin and McCulloch highlight the integral role of fans in the unique spectacle of football, particularly in the context of the Old Firm rivalry.
Allowing both sets of fans back into the stadiums, with proper allocations, not only restores the historic atmosphere but also enhances the overall experience for viewers and players alike.
The vibrant mix of hundreds and even thousands of Rangers and Celtic fans create a spectacle like no other and that is a fact.
Beyond the emotional connection, the return of fans could also have financial implications, boosting club revenues and local economies.
While acknowledging the challenges, resolving security concerns through increased police presence allows for a compromise that satisfies the desires of fans at home and in the stadium.
A sub-committee is not going to be the one to resolve this issue no matter how good it sounds on paper and it remains to be seen who brings about the change and how.
In other Rangers news, the club may now look to sign an international striker in January amid a £2.3m development this week.