Keith Wyness reveals 'revenue increase' behind Rangers and Celtic ban, away fans' return mapped out
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that a tiered and phased return is the only way to handle it.
This comes after the news that away supporters have been banned from every Old Firm clash this season, after the violence that erupted after Celtic's win at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup last term.
However, Wyness believes that the derby clashes simply won't be the same with only one set of supporters in attendance, although he did acknowledge that both clubs are likely to see their coffers boosted as a result of the ban.
The first Old Firm derby of the 2026-27 campaign is set to take place at Ibrox on Sunday, with both teams' winning runs on the line.
Derek McInnes' Rangers side have won four straight games after a rocky start, while Martin O'Neill's Celtic still have a 100 per cent record in domestic action.
Keith Wyness explains Old Firm revenue boost
Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that both clubs will likely charge home fans a higher price for the same seats that would have been used for the away allocation.
A lack of travelling supporters will also allow more seats to be opened up for sale, with a significantly reduced need for police and segregation in the stands.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness mapped out how the long-term return of the away allocations is likely to look.
"No, they're not the same. You need that atmosphere. I've been to a number of Old Firm games, and it is something special, I've got to say," he said.
"The clubs haven't fought too hard against this because if you think about it, if there are no away fans, then it isn't just empty seats. They're going to be replaced by higher-yield tickets from home fans in those seats.
"That's one thing just to bear in mind: there hasn't been a huge protest lobby from both clubs, because the revenue is actually probably going to increase for them.
"I think there's going to have to be a gradual, bit-by-bit restoration of this as we go forward. I think the fans will hopefully realise with this message that some things are unacceptable.
"Both the Union Bears and the Green Brigade have got the blame on their hands for this, and it could have been avoided. But I think it's good to slowly monitor the groups of away fans that come back in, know who they are and see how that goes.
"That's the way I can see it coming back, and hopefully sooner rather than later."
Keith Wyness shares Derek McInnes sack verdict
Wyness previously told Football Insider ealier this week that defeat to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup this weekend could potentially start the "countdown" in terms of how long McInnes has left as Rangers boss.
Pressure has already begun to mount on the former Hearts chief after his move in the summer, and Wyness is in no doubt that it would ramp up even further with a defeat to their bitter rivals.
However, despite the Gers' troubled start, Wyness remains adamant that McInnes needs to be afforded much more time to build his project at Ibrox.
He outlined that the Old Firm duo tend to take a "knee-jerk" reaction when it comes to their managers, something he feels they should be looking to step away from long-term.