Talks to bring back away supporters into the Glasgow Derby is positive, but only if it’s for a decent allocation and there are genuine guarantees of safety coming out of Ibrox…
Talks have begun between Celtic and theRangers, as reported on The Celtic Star this morning, regarding the current ticket fiasco surrounding the Glasgow Derby.
As we all know theRangers started it all when they bowed to pressure from their supporters when they spat the dummy after watching Celtic supporters celebrate at Ibrox one time too many. So logically it’s all Birthday Bhoy French Eddie’s fault!
This goal was the final straw and led to a once healthy allocation of 8,000 briefs being slashed to a measly 750. Celtic of course had no option but to return the favour and it’s been that way until this season when there have been no away supporters after theRangers failed to make the away corner safe after admitting that they had a problem with their supporters throwing objects – including glass bottles – at the away Celtic support in that corner.
So the last few derby’s have had a total lock out of away supporters. Celtic quite rightly refused the measly allocation on offer from theRangers due to the safety concerns of our supporters which couldn’t be guaranteed over Ibrox way, and in return no briefs were offered to theRangers supporters for Celtic park. Fairs fair, after all.
But now there looks as if there could be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel as the two clubs enter talks. It’s only a start, but it’s a positive one all the same. Celtic should be looking for guarantees of a much higher allocation. It probably won’t anything like the old one, but a European style allocation of between 2500- 4,000 should suffice.
There’s also the most important matter of fan safety, that’s imperative. If that along with a healthier increased allocation can be negotiated then we can maybe see the return of away supporters in this fixture. But as season tickets are already sold that bigger allocation can’t be expected to happen in the two remaining fixtures.
Celtic could therefore agree to smaller allocations – provided safety at Ibrox is addressed – for the remaining two games this season if there is also an agreement for a larger allocation going forward. While the Celtic support would back this, not all of their supporters would. However there is an increasing number of them who would and are now prepared to make their voices heard.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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