The Glasgow Derby stands out as a fixture laden with history, emotion, and a passion unrivalled by any other match on the football calendar. The game transcends mere sporting rivalry to embody a cultural and communal fervour that captivates not just Glasgow but the entire footballing world.
The atmosphere since Rangers cut Celtic’s allocation and the subsequent safety issues meant derbies became an all-home support affair, hasn’t been the same.
Well, there’s some good news…
CeltsAreHere can confirm the return of significant numbers of away supporters to both Ibrox and Celtic Park from next season marks a watershed moment for the fixture.
For several years, the atmosphere at these clashes has been dampened, a casualty of decisions taken in a board room. Rangers’ move to limit Celtic’s presence at Ibrox to a scant 700 supporters, confining them to a minor segment of the stadium, was a blow to the derby’s passion and appeal. The aftermath of this decision saw Celtic reciprocate, leading to a period where the absence of substantial away support became the unfortunate norm.
The scars from these decisions ran deep, with Celtic cutting the entire 700 allocation after Celtic fans were injured in the corner of Ibrox. In the shadows of these events, it was always Celtic pushing for change, advocating behind the scenes for the return of meaningful numbers of away fans and enhanced safety measures. The stance by Rangers, as articulated by CEO James Bisgrove, that Celtic would not see an increased allocation in the foreseeable future, now rings hollow.
The agreement is to allocate 5% of tickets is a directive pushed by the SPFL from UEFA, but CeltsAreHere understands both sets of clubs will enjoy around 2500 briefs for these games give or take.
The new agreement won’t take effect until next season. So we will get some semblance of the atmosphere back many of us have bemoaned.
The road to this point has been fraught, marked by negotiations and challenges. Yet, the outcome heralds a return to the days when the roar of the away supporters contributed to the unforgettable cacophony that is the Glasgow Derby.
Before then, there’s the small matter of a hostile trip to Ibrox with none of our fans in the building and vice versa after the split.
