Agbonlahor: ‘I totally agree with Celtic’ as Rangers row settled by vote
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Celtic were right to call for Scottish football’s winter break to be brought forward as crowds are limited.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker insisted it would have been unfair if the Old Firm derby scheduled for next month was played in front of just 500 fans.
BBC Sport reported last Thursday (23 December) 10 of the 12 Scottish Premiership clubs, including Celtic, voted to bring the three-week break forward.
As quoted by Sky Sports the day after, Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed Rangers were one of two clubs against the move.
The league will now re-start on the week beginning 16 January with Celtic hosting Hibs and Rangers travelling to Aberdeen.
Asked for his verdict on the decision, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I agreed with Celtic, bring it forward.
“If the restrictions have been put in by the Scottish government then bring the winter break forward. I totally agree with Celtic.
“They will want fans in the stadiums for games so it all makes sense to bring the break forward.
“Hopefully, after the winter break, they will be allowed to have fans back in.
“Having the derby game with 500 fans, it’s not the same. That needs to have fans in, definitely. It’s unfair with the reverse fixture having a full house.”
The Hoops go into the rescheduled break six points behind their Glasgow rivals in the Scottish Premiership.
The derby fixture will now be played at Parkhead on 2 February on a Wednesday night.
In other news, there has been a significant update on Celtic and Rangers’ race to sign a player as a decision is made.