The Scottish Premiership season has started again, with Celtic and Rangers set to fight for the title again. Celtic host Rangers at Celtic Park on 1 September in the first Old Firm Derby of the campaign.
However, there will be no Rangers fans in the away end for the match. Here is an explanation of why this is the case and an insight into when away fans for both teams will return.
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Old Firm Derby away allocations reduced since 2018
Up until 2018, away fans for both Glasgow clubs received around 7,500 tickets. Rangers changed this, though, reducing that number to under 1,000, citing the increasing demand from their own supporters to buy season tickets.
Celtic followed suit and reduced the allocation for Rangers fans to around 750. Since then, Celtic have turned down Rangers’ away allocation offers, “citing concerns over safety and security”, as per BBC Sport.
No Rangers fans at Celtic Park for September match
A meeting between the clubs and the SPFL took place in March 2024 to try to resolve the issue. After talks, a deal was struck to allow away teams to have a five per cent allocation for Old Firm Derby matches, subject to safety requirements being satisfied at Ibrox and Celtic Park.
On Wednesday, 14 August, it was announced that there would be no visiting supporters for the first derby match at Celtic Park in September.
Celtic are believed to be unsure whether the renovation works at Ibrox will be completed in time to safely house visiting fans.
In response, Rangers said: “Rangers was today informed that Celtic will make no allocation for away fans for the September Old Firm game.
“The allocation to be implemented by both clubs was clear and Rangers was taking all steps towards fulfilling that agreement.
“In the meantime, we can confirm that no away allocation will apply for the January Old Firm fixture at Ibrox. This is consistent with the reciprocity embedded in the agreement reached between the clubs and the SPFL.”
Away fans to return in 2025
🚨 Following talks with both clubs, the SPFL say away fans at Old Firm league games will return for the derby in March, “subject to all necessary requirements being satisfied at both Ibrox & Celtic Park.” More here ⤵️
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 16, 2024
On Friday, 16 August, the SPFL confirmed that the first two Old Firm Derby games will be played without away fans. However, they will return later in the 2024/25 season, as per an agreement reached between the two clubs. The SPFL said:
“Following recent media coverage around the issue of away tickets for matches between Celtic and Rangers, the SPFL has spoken with both clubs and can confirm it has been agreed between all three parties that:
“• the September 2024 and January 2025 William Hill Premiership matches between Rangers and Celtic will take place with a zero allocation for away supporters
“• thereafter, Rangers and Celtic will provide ticket allocations of around 5% of respective stadium capacity for away supporters, for SPFL matches between the two clubs. This remains subject to all necessary requirements being satisfied at both Ibrox and Celtic Park.”
An SPFL spokesperson added: “The presence of away fans is a vital ingredient of the passion, drama and excitement that is the hallmark of the William Hill Premiership. We are pleased that Rangers and Celtic are committed to achieving the return of away supporters to their derby matches as soon as possible.”