The fallout from the final derby match at Celtic Park is still running on weeks later, with Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh now calling for more transparency around the SPFL’s decision over away supporters.
The dispute centred around Celtic’s refusal to allow Union Bears members into the stadium following the disorder at Ibrox during the Scottish Cup tie earlier in the season. Celtic argued the move was based on safety concerns after incidents involving stewards, police and supporters during the previous meeting between the sides.
Rangers challenged the decision through the SPFL.
Celtic had still agreed to provide the usual away allocation, but only if Rangers guaranteed tickets would not go to members of the ultras group. The SPFL eventually backed Celtic’s position and the game went ahead under those conditions.
Now attention is turning toward next season and whether full away allocations will continue at both grounds.
That debate has dragged on for years between the clubs, but the latest dispute has pushed things back into focus again. Atmospheres during derby matches improved once larger away supports returned this season, but the safety arguments have not gone away.
Cavenagh has now publicly explained why Rangers opposed Celtic’s stance and why the club still wants the SPFL to release the evidence used during the process.
The Rangers chairman addressed the situation while discussing future allocations.
He said: (STV), “Celtic gave us notice that they intended to either exclude all of our fans if we didn’t agree to not give tickets to some sections of our fans. We fought that, and we fought it on principle.
“The two principles we were fighting were that one club should not be able to tell another club which of their fans can come to a match, and we also didn’t think that a club should create a sporting advantage through that.
“We took that to the SPFL, we got the decision against us, and we have now asked the SPFL to release the materials that were submitted by both clubs, as well as the decision.
“We think that’s incredibly important, as we talk about the right allocations going forward, it is important that all the clubs, the public, and maybe even the government see the basis of that decision.”
From Celtic’s side, the argument has always centred around security rather than sporting advantage.
The club carried out a risk assessment before the match and believed excluding the Union Bears was necessary after the scenes at Ibrox. The SPFL ultimately agreed with that position and refused to overturn the decision despite Rangers’ objections.
Whether that changes anything for next season remains unclear.
But it is obvious the wider argument around away allocations, supporter behaviour and security during Celtic vs Rangers matches is nowhere near finished.
