As Ibrox Noise recently reported, Rangers’ board and chief hierarchy have more or less considered the strong possibility of axing Celtic allocation going forward. After the chaos in Govan last Sunday, there had been talk of how things would proceed going forward. Many fans were against the idea of Celtic fans being hosted again, given the absolute chaos they caused to the Broomloan Stand.
That has been mostly rectified thanks to a few painters, joiners and decorators. One or two engineers were called in as well. The damage has been mostly restored.
Rangers considering away fan ban
However, going forward, Ibrox Noise’s sources told us that the board was strongly considering axing away fans completely in this fixture. Now, of course, there is a distinctly big caveat to this issue.
The next match between the two is at Parkhead. Rangers have not released any statement. Nor have Celtic regarding this.
We were previously critical. However, there is actually more of a reason logistically for the club not releasing a statement on this topic. That reason is wishing to see what Celtic do.
Parkhead decision key to Rangers stance
If Celtic continue to allow the 2,500 or so Rangers fans at Parkhead for the next fixture in the league, then Rangers will be very reticent indeed to carry out the full ban league wise that would be coming into place for next season.
That was the original idea following the immediate destruction. However, following further talks there have been subtle changes in thinking at Ibrox.
That is to say, the main one being, of course, that this particular match was the cup. This match had to allow a 20% allocation.
SFA rules demand that. Otherwise Rangers would have been barred from the cup and the match could not have taken place.
League rules are different
So Rangers honoured that agreement and compromised with Celtic over the number. Both clubs came to an agreement and that was that sorted.
However, that does not apply to the league. Rangers are said to be very reluctant to come out with any statement one way or the other.
They want to see what Celtic are going to do regarding tickets for Parkhead. That is the key here.
If that remains the same and if Celtic still accommodate 2,500 Rangers fans in that ‘wonderful’ view section at the corner of Parkhead, then Rangers will double think on the strategy for next season.
Situation remains in flux
It is, at the moment, thoroughly in flux. There is also the further caveat that the chances of Rangers and Celtic meeting in the cup again at that early stage before Hampden kicks in is pretty low.
It was the first meeting between the two before the semi finals for many years. We are talking decades.
Consequently, at the end of the day, the situation remains dynamic. It may actually be that away fans will still be there in a small number for the league fixture.
This may actually remain A-OK from the point of view of both police, the SFA, the SPFL and both Rangers and Celtic’s boards.
However, a repeat of what happened in the cup can never be seen again.
But for now, Rangers board and chief hierarchy’s call is all down to what Celtic’s board decide to do.