Rangers apply for safety nets at Ibrox for 'high-risk' games as Old Firm lockout continues

Rangers have lodged an application to install safety nets at Ibrox for “high-risk” football games.

The club is currently carrying out construction work on the Copland Road Stand at the stadium forcing them to temporarily move to Hampden.

They are now also looking to add “demountable safety netting” in the corner of the Broomloan and Govan stands between home and away supporters.

The netting will be used for “high-risk” fixtures according to the application received by Glasgow City Council on August 19.

It comes as it was decided that no away fans will be present at games between Celtic and Rangers for the next two derbies despite an agreement being reached in March.

Earlier this month, Celtic wrote to Rangers to say they will not be issuing any tickets to visiting supporters for the upcoming game on September 1.

The Hoops said they believed Ibrox would 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 SPFL said in a statement earlier this month: “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.”

The application is due to go before Glasgow City Council planners.