Barry Ferguson has made his position clear regarding the ongoing dispute over away allocations for the upcoming Old Firm derby. The former Ibrox captain stated he will be “absolutely raging” if Rangers fans are denied their expected tickets for the clash at Celtic Park.
A formal decision is expected this week from an SPFL sub-committee. This group was convened after Rangers challenged Celtic’s refusal to grant an allocation of over 2,000 supporters. The standoff began when Celtic reportedly requested that no tickets be sold to the Union Bears fan group, citing unrest during the recent Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox. Rangers leadership rejected this condition, leading to the current stalemate.
”Plain and Simple”
Speaking on the Five Stars podcast, Ferguson emphasized that an agreement should be honored regardless of the tension. He argued that the fans must be given their 2,500 tickets because a deal is already in place.
Ian Durrant joined the conversation, labeling the situation “ridiculous.” He criticized the idea that supporters might have to prove they aren’t part of a specific fan group just to attend the match. Durrant pointed out the historical disparity in how both clubs have handled away crowds, noting that Rangers have previously accommodated massive numbers of Celtic supporters. He expressed sadness that the same courtesy is not being extended for the upcoming fixture, suggesting the move favors the home side by removing a rival atmosphere.
The Decision Ahead
The SPFL ruling will determine if the 2,500-strong traveling support will be allowed into the stadium. While the clubs remain at odds, the league’s intervention will be the final word on whether the derby will feature a traditional away presence.