No away fans allowed at next Old Firm games as lockout continues amid U-turn

There will be no away fans at the next two Old Firm games as the lockout for travelling supporters continues following a U-turn.

Celtic host Rangers on Sunday, September 1, in the season’s first Glasgow derby.

An agreement was reached in March for each club to allocate around 5% of their stadiums’ capacity for the games this campaign.

But that has now been rescinded and, like last season, there will be no away end in the fixture.

It comes after another fallout between the two clubs and behind-the-scenes talks involving Glasgow City Council and Police.

Celtic have written to Rangers to let them know they will not be issuing any tickets to visiting supporters for the upcoming game at the start of next month.

The Hoops were planning to accommodate 2,500 Rangers fans and spent a six-figure sum on planning for the game.

However, they have been left doubting that Ibrox will be ready for the return game scheduled for January 2.

Rangers are currently playing their home games at Hampden as renovations take place at Ibrox with no definitive date for when they will return.

And they have failed to give their rivals a guarantee that they will have the required permissions granted in time.

Back in March, the SPFL confirmed that both sides had come to an agreement to offer set allocations for the 2024/25 campaign.

That means there would be between 2,500 and 3,000 travelling supporters at Celtic Park and Ibrox for each of the four games played.

Celtic Park holds 60,000, meaning the 5% allocation would be 3,000 seats. For Rangers’ stadium it would be 2,500 of the 50,000 seats.

But following the U-turn, the lockout which saw each Old Firm game last season played in front of only home supporters will continue.

Rangers said in a statement: “Today we were 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.”

Celtic won four out of five derby games last season, with the other ending in a draw, on their way towards a league and cup double.