Celtic set to refuse Ibrox ticket allocation for next Old Firm derby against Rangers

Celtic are set to refuse their ticket allocation for the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox.

Around 700 tickets have been made available to Celtic fans for the Premiership clash at the home of rivals Rangers on September.

However, as it stands, the Parkhead club won’t take any allocation, due to concerns of supporter safety.

It’s understood Celtic would like to see their allocation increased significantly, up to as many as 7000 fans, or for the existing security measures to be enhanced, if they are to sell tickets to their fans for the highly-anticipated match.

While discussions are ongoing between the two teams, it’s understood that Rangers are sticking to their allocation and will expect it to be reciprocated, regardless of whether or not Celtic accept their Ibrox tickets.

A dispute over the number of tickets allocated to away fans at the home of both Celtic and Rangers for the derby games has been ongoing for some time.

The last two league encounters between the teams last season, at Celtic Park and Ibrox, saw no away fans admitted.

At the previous derby, held at Ibrox in January, 700 Celtic fans were in attendance, with one supporter injured after being struck with a bottle.

In April 2022 at Ibrox, Celtic physio Daniel Friel was struck with a bottle thrown from the stands and required stitches to a head wound.

Rangers fans have also voiced concerns about their safety at Celtic Park since both clubs cut away allocations from around the 7,000 mark to less than 1,000 over the past few years.

In May, Rangers CEO James Bisgrove suggested the number of tickets given to Celtic fans is unlikely to return to previous levels any time soon. Discussing season ticket sales, he said that the uptake from Rangers fans meant that only around 700 visiting supporters could be accommodated.

SPFL rules don’t state any mandatory minimum allocation for away fans, stating only that “a reasonable number” is made available, in agreement with the opposition.