Celtic boss dismisses 300-ticket allocation for Ibrox cup tie
Martin O'Neill said Celtic might as well receive no tickets after Rangers allocated only 300 for the League Cup quarter-final. He argued the fixture loses its atmosphere without a proper away following. The comments follow sanctions for crowd disorder in a previous match.
Rangers’ decision to cap Celtic’s away allocation at 300 for the League Cup quarter-final follows a Scottish FA ruling that both clubs must play their next Scottish Cup home games behind closed doors. That punishment stemmed from crowd disorder after Celtic’s penalty shootout win at Ibrox last season, when roughly 8,000 visiting fans attended – about four times the usual away contingent for recent league meetings. O’Neill argued the reduced number undermines the fixture’s global appeal, noting the atmosphere depends on a substantial traveling support.
The manager’s comments came after Celtic’s 2-1 Premiership win over Falkirk, a result that eased pressure following a Champions League exit to LASK. Fans displayed a banner criticising European failures, yet O’Neill said the crowd’s supportive reception was “unexpected.” Midfielder Luke McCowan, targeted online after his Linz performance, received an ovation when substituted on, with former captain Scott Brown defending him against social media abuse. O’Neill also reiterated his desire for transfer reinforcements before Thursday’s deadline.
This dispute over ticket allocations could deepen existing tensions between Celtic and Rangers supporters, potentially affecting matchday safety and policing costs. Reduced away crowds may also diminish the economic boost local businesses rely on during derby fixtures. However, the sanctions and allocation limits reflect a broader effort to curb disorder, which could set a precedent for how Scottish football manages high-risk matches. Fans of both clubs may feel disenfranchised, but the priority appears to be protecting the game’s reputation and ensuring future fixtures proceed without violence.