Kieran Maguire slams Celtic and Rangers boards after ‘huge’ development
The owners of Celtic and Rangers have let down fans by failing to provide a good environment for away fans to attend the Old Firm derby.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that it is a ‘huge’ shame for fans to be absent for the upcoming derby clash.
Rangers released a club statement on Tuesday (19 December) revealing that they will have no supporters present for their league clash against Celtic next Saturday.
The two Glasgow giants are set to go head-to-head at Celtic Park in a match that could have big implications for the Scottish title race with both sides currently separated by just five points.
However, Rangers have had their away allocation rejected despite winning a case put forward to an SPFL Board Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee agreed with Rangers that Celtic’s stance of providing zero tickets to Rangers fans was unreasonable, but the decision has not been overturned in time for the match.
Maguire believes the owners of both clubs are to blame for not providing a safe environment for away supporters.
“Tribalism in football is a feature of the game which has existed since it very much started and hostility between fans is part of that,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“It’s disappointing that it cannot currently take place between Celtic and Rangers fans.
“Liverpool can play Everton and Manchester United, Man United can play Manchester City and Leeds.
“Spurs can play Chelsea and Arsenal and West Ham and in all of those matches away fans can attend.
“The fact that this can’t take place at Celtic Park is a huge shame as away fans heighten the atmosphere and create tension.
“That rivalry between home and away fans is part of the intrigue and the excitement of the game.
“To have this taken away is indicative of the failure of people in charge of both clubs who have failed to provide an environment for both fans to support the clubs they love.“
In other news, Rangers told to complete four January signings after landing £20m jackpot