Celtic should embrace the attitudes of Hearts and Rangers by rejecting allocations for Tynecastle and Ibrox. Ticketing in Scotland has become weaponised with clubs taking petty action to spite other clubs’ fans, resulting in drastic decisions whereby fans are locked out of games until it suits the home club.
Celtic find themselves in a position whereby they’ll be asked to accept around 1600 tickets for trips to Tynecastle and Ibrox. The Scottish Champions have the largest travelling support in the country but yet will see two of their biggest away fixtures limited to less than 800 tickets.
Rangers made the decision to reduce Celtic’s allocation in the summer of 2018, following four consecutive defeats to Brendan Rodgers’ side. The decision was reciprocated by Celtic, massively impacting upon one of the biggest spectacles in World Football.
Hearts have similarly made grumbles against the Celtic End at Tynecastle. Now, they have slashed Celtic’s allocation for Tynecastle as just Hibs will occupy the entirety of the Roseburn Stand.
Now, Celtic are being forced to acquiesce to the new ticketing arrangements that will likely see thousands of fans locked out of games. This hasn’t been unique to these two teams, Kilmarnock and St Mirren have recently followed Rangers’ lead by cutting allocations.
It is time that Celtic take a stand. We all know that when clubs start struggling with attendance, they’ll expect Celtic fans to cover their shortfalls and see the ‘green pound’ as an opportunity to bolster their bank accounts.
If Celtic lock Hearts and Rangers fans out, they’ll come crawling back as their own branch of loyal away fans demand some discussions. The SPFL have idly sat back and let clubs take these embarrassing decisions, which have taken away from a unique aspects of the Scottish game, the tribalism from the support.
If Celtic make a decision, the SPFL will likely have the rights holders, Sky Sports, on the phone demanding to know why two of the biggest fixtures on their calendars will be somewhat dampened by no away fans. The Scottish Football Authorities should speak to relevant stakeholders and look to push towards a consensus that suits all parties and that is sustainable long-term. The current flip-flopping must come to an end.