Soon to be theRangers CEO James Bisgrove has confirmed that Glasgow Derby games will have a maximum of 800 away fans next season.
He also called any return to the traditional allocation “very unlikely”.
For both sets of fans but Celtic fans in particular, these comments will be seen as extremely disappointing.
Glasgow derbies have not been the same since theRangers cut the away allocation all the way back in 2018 causing the feud between both clubs, and to hear an incoming CEO speak so negatively about a possible return to a traditional allocation seems petty and small-minded.
In the fourth Glasgow Derby this season Celtic rejected the opportunity to take a minimal number of away tickets with the club being offered just 700 tickets, due to safety concerns for the Celtic supporters in that little corner at Ibrox. One fan whad a bottle smashed against his head in the that corner at the New Year Glasgow Derby which ended 2in a 2-2 draw.
Celtic supporters will be hoping that the club issues a strong statement addressing these comments and take their own lead regarding ticket allocations for Glasgow Derbies next season, outlining the club’s proposals that can at lease be debated.
What Celtic cannot accept is a return of the 700 supporters in that corner as sitting ducks for whatever lawlessness that comes their way from both sides and from the stands above. It is entirely unacceptable and should in normal circumstances result in a threat to the Ibrox club’s safety certificate. Remember this is a stadium where broadcaster and pundit Chris Sutton is not allowed entry because the latest Ibrox cannot guarantee his safety.
theRangers provided the necessary allocation for Liverpool fans for the Champions League match at Ibrox last season where the English side hammered theRangers 7-1. If they can provide higher numbers of away supporters for European matches why can’t they do it for Celtic.
Bisgrove also signalled progress on introducing a safe standing area at Ibrox and this is most likely going to be located in the Broomloan Road stand. That effectively will end any chance of a return the the traditional Celtic allocation ay Ibrox since their stadium was developed by the old club’s owners over forty years ago.
Tomorrow 60,000 Celtic supporters will celebrate an eleven title in twelve seasons.
🔊 LISTEN: Incoming Rangers CEO James Bisgrove says Old Firm games at Ibrox will have a maximum of 800 away fans next season.
He also says a return to the traditional allocation is “very unlikely”. pic.twitter.com/kjxMWkq6hP
— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) May 19, 2023
Watch Bisgrove’s interview below…
🏟️ | 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗴𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘆 – 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Incoming CEO James Bisgrove has confirmed that the allocation for away fans at Celtic – Rangers fixtures next season will be a MAXIMUM of 800 tickets.
Discussions will be held between clubs & police over longer term. pic.twitter.com/psrzS16OrL
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) May 19, 2023
IMO don’t take any too much hassle and that includes at Parkhead too we don’t want or need the inbreds of the third reich.
We all know why they did it .. money, simple! Same reason they can’t reverse it.
Bisgrove – a heid like Johnny Bravo.