Rangers and Celtic fans blasted as Hibernian decision has them ‘up in arms’
Tam McManus says Hibernian are right to cut the away allocations for Rangers and Celtic fans at Easter Road this season, going in on supporters’ behaviour from the Glasgow clubs.
The former player praised Hibs for slashing the number of away tickets on offer to both Old Firm clubs, claiming the “usual suspects” are “up in arms” about the decision.
Hibs invite Rangers to Easter Road on 28 September; Celtic make the trip in just matchday two on 11 August.
Speaking to the Daily Record [1 August], McManus said: “The usual suspects are up in arms at the decision from the Hibs board to cut the Old Firm’s tickets at Easter Road. But I don’t blame them.
“It’s not just club officials who are fed up with some of the behaviour from visiting fans. I’m sure the supporters are as well. They don’t want to be taking their families to games and having to expose them to sectarian bile, flares being lit and missiles getting lobbed on to the pitch.
“I’m not sure if slashing the numbers will change that overnight, but at least it might send out a message. The big hope is those extra seats are taken up by Hibs fans.”
Former forward McManus did not play for either of the Glasgow giants, but represented Hibs between 1997 and 2005.
Rangers suffer both home and away
McManus’ comments are rather scathing in his column on Thursday morning.
Whilst previous incidents have rendered his statement accurate to an extent after last season’s uproar from pyrotechnics at Easter Road, it appears to be a case of the smaller group ruining it for the majority.
But that’s not the sole reason for the decision; clubs want to maximise their home advantage as much as possible, particularly against the league’s big hitters, and McManus himself references St. Mirren and Kilmarnock among those to have “reclaimed their stadiums” to positive effect.
As for Rangers, the delayed redevelopment of Ibrox which has forced their absence from their own home for the opening weeks of the league season has given supporters enough to be “up in arms” about.
The Hibs decision from the perspective of the home-and-away fans only adds fuel, but is the prerogative of the Edinburgh club.
In other Rangers news, the club are looking to complete two signings by an important Thursday deadline for the Champions League.
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