The dispute over away fans attending Glasgow derbies has been existing for several years. Whether it be the number of visiting supporters who are allowed into the grounds, or if any are, debate is always sparked surrounding the topic.
Celtic have consistently stood firm throughout the debacle and took a rightful stance that they will not let Rangers fans into Parkhead unless the same is reciprocated for their supporters at Ibrox.
Former Hoops manager Martin O’Neill has spoken out on the situation. He appeared on PLZ Soccer’s Football Show along with Alex McLeish.
The pair agreed that having no away supporters takes something away from the game. O’Neill said: “About no away fans allowed in the stadium, I’m sure Alex and I feel the same about this, there’s something lost about the fixture.”
There was a strange feeling around Govan when Kyogo Furuhashi netted what turned out to be the only goal of this season’s maiden derby, according to McLeish: “When Celtic scored, it was almost like we were in a time warp”, he said. “Everything went really quiet. There were no Celtic fans cheering and Rangers fans were stunned.”
For the upcoming derby at the end of the month, it doesn’t seem as though the situation will be resolved (Daily Record). Celtic, though, have every right to refuse entry to away fans after their supporters weren’t allowed into Ibrox earlier in the campaign.
Unless the team from Govan attempts to settle the fiasco, it will ramble on. It seems as though few want this to happen, however, their fear of letting Celtic fans celebrate on their patch outweighs their desire to bring a better atmosphere to the world’s most famous club fixture.
