The Rangers invalidate 750 tickets given to Celtic so no Celtic fans at Ibrox next Sunday

There will be NO Celtic fans at Ibrox next Sunday for the first Glasgow Derby of the season after the Ibrox club today performed an incredible about-turn on a decision to allocate 750 tickets to Celtic Supporters.

The Celtic Star understands that our club are actually in possession of the away end tickets for the game which takes place on Sunday 29 August with a 12 noon kick-off. However the Ibrox club today demanded cast-iron assurances that Celtic will guarantee a similar allocation for theRangers support for the second Premiership fixture between the sides on 2 January 2021.

Photo: VI ANP Sport

Given the uncertainty of the post-pandemic world, Celtic response seemed fair and reasonable, telling the latest Ibrox club, founded in 2012 by Charles Green, that they would be given their 750 tickets provided no Government restrictions were re-introduced due to the Covid crisis. Indeed in a worst case scenario there could be a third wave and NO fans at all could be permitted to attend games as indeed was the case last season when they won their first ever title.

Celtic’s offer was clear. Provided there are no restrictions introduced by the Government because of a new Covid wave, then theRangers would be given their 750 tickets. That is fair and reasonable and Celtic could not in good faith, promise any more than that.

Frustratingly Celtic’s ‘best of our endeavours’ commitment was however not good enough for the Ibrox outfit and Celtic have today been told that the 750 tickets in the club’s possession were now invalid.

This decision to withdraw all tickets is even more remarkable as The Celtic Star understands that there have recently been very positive talks between the two clubs about restoring the previous allocation of tickets meaning that around 7000 Celtic Supporters would once again be housed in the Free Broomloan, amid fears that the fixture as a spectacle has been damaged by the reduced away allocation. Obviously Celtic were looking at a reciprocal agreement regarding the restoration of the away section at Celtic Park before the recent reduction to a tiny allocation of just 750.

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar. Photo: Andrew Milligan

So that, we understand, is the current state of play. NO Celtic fans will be attending Ibrox next Sunday and as a result no supporters of theRangers will be given tickets for the game at Paradise on 2 January 2020.

TheRangers were this week moaning about being given only 1000 tickets for their trip on Sunday to play Ross County, raging that they had 8000 fans wishing to secure tickets. The Dingwall side restricted the away support to comply with the current covid guidelines, again which seems fair and reasonable.

Last Friday night Dunfermline supporters were given tickets for the league Cup match at Ibrox, with no reciprocity possible from the Fife club.

Anyone else think that this version of the Ibrox club is worse than the previous one?

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – Photo: Andrew Milligan

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

4 Comments

  1. I think the decision by the Ibrox club is totally Deplorable Celtic are quite right not allowing any of Rangers supporters in on the 2nd of January. IT IS SO CHIDISH.

  2. They are running scared for next Sunday and are desperate for anything that may give them an advantage. Show the team the lockout game against the oldco in 94 when they banned our fans to show its nothing to be scared of.

  3. They are rightly scared, for Celtic is sovereign in Scottish football; 51/ 1 determines that. However, I would never allow another hun inside Paradise for any game so I am happy for Celtic to take no fans to Ibrokes. It’s all about Celtic. Hoora.