SPFL insist Celtic and Rangers are committed to admitting away fans

The Scottish Professional Football League says it has assurances from Celtic and Rangers that both clubs are committed to admitting away fans to Old Firm derbies later this season.

It emerged this week that despite an agreement being reached in March for the Glasgow clubs to allocate 5% of tickets to their rivals, another fallout between the two clubs and behind-the-scenes talks involving Glasgow City Council and police meant there would be no away fans at the next two games between the sides.

Celtic have written to Rangers to let them know they will not be issuing any tickets to visiting supporters for the upcoming game on September 1, and believe Ibrox will not be ready to host the return game at New Year.

Rangers responded by saying they won’t grant Celtic any tickets for the January game “consistent with the reciprocity embedded in the agreement reached between the clubs and the SPFL”.

The league body has now made a statement regarding the issue over Scotland’s most high-profile fixture, confirming the lock-out will continue for the next two games but insisting there is a commitment in place to resolve the issue for the following two league games.

A statement read: “Following recent media coverage around the issue of away tickets for matches between Rangers and Celtic, 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 said: “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.”