Celtic expert: Sky set to drop SPFL after confirmed news
Frank McAvennie is concerned Sky will drop the Celtic v Rangers games next season due to the lack of away fans.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said people won’t want to watch derby matches without away fans and urged the sides to come to an agreement for next season.
The Glasgow giants decided last month that the current allocation of 700 away fans would be scrapped for the remaining league derbies of the season amid concerns over fan safety.
The first taster without away support came in the Hoops’ 3-2 win over the Gers at Ibrox on 8 April.
The SPFL have extended their agreement with broadcaster Sky Sports until 2029.
The current showing of 48 games per season on the network will be upped to 60 live games from the 2024-25 season.
But McAvennie is worried the conditions of the deal could change if the clubs can’t sort out the allocation.
“I think come the end of the season Sky will say that they can’t back it if there is no fans,” he told Football Insider.
“That is what it is going to get to if there is no fans. It was an eerie silence when Rangers scored the other week, it was really horrible. People will not want to watch that.
“As a footballer, I hope they sort out the fans. I think Douglas Park might have had something to do with that, just digging his heels in and saying no. Hopefully it can be sorted out.
“I always want Rangers to be second best but I want them there so we can beat them.“
In other news, Brighton close to signing centre-back from Celtic.