Celtic expert claims there will be ’empty seats’ at Ibrox after confirmed Rangers news
Celtic won’t give Rangers an allocation for the derby match at Parkhead.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie urged the Gers to return to a full allocation at Ibrox.
As relayed by Sky Sports (17 August), the Celts have officially refused to take up the offer of 708 tickets for the first Glasgow derby at Ibrox next weekend (3 September).
Hoops bosses have once again cited ongoing concerns over fan safety as their reason for turning down the tickets and although their rivals have proposed extra measures.
Two of last season’s derby clashes took place without any away supporters following incidents at both grounds in previous matches and it looks like this season’s fixtures could suffer the same fate.
Although the Hoops refused their allocation, Rangers expect that they will still be offered the same fan allocation for the return fixture at Parkhead later on this year.
But McAvennie insisted Celtic won’t allow Gers fans inside Parkhead for the second instalment of the fixture.
“They [Celtic] have put their cards on the table they want the 7000 back,” he told Football Insider.
“Celtic are focussing on safety now because it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt and the club do not want that.
“Celtic won’t give them 700 or 800 fans at Parkhead, they won’t do it.
“Give them 5000 each even and that would be great, there would be a great atmosphere. There are a lot of people in that Rangers end that do not go to the Celtic games. There will be empty seats there.“
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