Celtic supporters will be in full voice at Ibrox, and it’s something Barry Ferguson cannot stomach ahead of this weekend’s meeting between the sides.

For the first time since 2018, around 7,500 Celtic fans will be packed into the Broomloan Stand. The Scottish Cup tie restores the traditional away allocation and guarantees a derby atmosphere that has been missing in recent years.

The noise from that side of the stadium will be unavoidable.

Rangers supporters were reminded of that last weekend. Despite their side leading by two goals at halftime, Celtic fought back to earn a draw, and the travelling support made themselves heard when Reo Hatate struck late on.

Around 2,000 Celtic fans were inside Ibrox that day, yet their celebrations carried clearly on the television broadcast as Hatate’s equaliser went in.

Ferguson has made it clear he does not want to witness anything like that again, especially with thousands more supporters set to be inside the ground this time.

Celtic fans Ibrox

Speaking to Record Sport, he said:

“I’d be saying to them: Listen guys, we can’t end up feeling like that again this time. And we are not going to let that happen, no matter what! We’re not letting them off the hook again’.

“The place was absolutely bouncing at half time when the team came off the pitch. I’d want to make sure it was like that again on the final whistle – and especially because there will be 7,500 visiting fans at the other end.

“In my mind, there’s just no way they can be the ones celebrating at the end of the game. It’s not even an option.”

That reaction alone tells its own story.

A couple of thousand Celtic fans celebrating a late equaliser clearly left a mark. The idea of a further 5,500 doing the same again is clearly weighing on Ferguson’s mind ahead of kick-off.

The Broomloan will be loud. It always is when Celtic have a proper presence inside Ibrox.

Viewers will hear ‘Simply the Best’ ringing around the stadium, even from the Broomloan.

This is exactly what these fixtures should look like.

The reduced allocations in recent seasons drained something from the occasion. Derby matches played in front of tiny pockets of away fans never quite carried the same edge.

Scottish Cup rules have forced the issue this weekend, and the return to the traditional split is a welcome sight.

If both clubs are being honest, this is what the fixture needs going forward.

Packed ends. Full noise. Proper pressure on both sides of the ground.