Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers Blames Rangers for Old Firm Away Fan Lockout

Brendan Rodgers speaks about Old Firm away fans lockout in Scottish Premiership

Brendan Rodgers Blames Rangers for Away Fans Lockout in Old Firm Matches

Brendan Rodgers, the manager of Celtic, has made strong accusations against Rangers, asserting that they are entirely responsible for the restriction of away fans during the highly anticipated Old Firm derbies. According to Rodgers, the situation has unjustly pulled his club into the controversy.

The Current Situation for Old Firm Games

This season, the first two league derbies will see no visiting supporters present, despite an agreement reached in March aimed at reinstating away fans for the fixtures. The agreement stipulated that approximately five percent of stadium capacity should be allocated for visiting fans, provided that certain necessary improvements were made at both Celtic Park and Ibrox.

Initially, there were plans for Celtic fans to attend the first match at Celtic Park in September, broadcast live on Sky Sports. However, Celtic's management felt compelled to refuse away tickets for their home fixture without a clear guarantee that Rangers supporters would be allowed in when the teams meet again in January.

Celtic's Stance on Security and Safety

Rodgers defended Celtic’s position, emphasizing that the club's primary responsibility is to protect its supporters. He stated, "If there's not the guarantee that come the second fixture [Celtic fans will be admitted], then I think it's only logical that you wouldn't reciprocate." He further clarified that any issues stemming from the lack of agreements should not be placed on Celtic, asserting, "This is a Rangers thing."

Details on the Agreement and Future Matches

Rodgers underscored that Celtic had completed necessary preparations to ensure the safety of both sets of fans, which included significant financial investments and logistical planning that started months ago. Despite their efforts, the expected agreement between the clubs was not upheld.

Rodgers lamented that due to the unresolved situation, both Rangers fans and Celtic fans would miss out on crucial matches, remarking, "It's not great faith if we allow Rangers supporters in then we get to January and our own supporters can't get in." He expressed hope that both clubs could find a resolution for the future, allowing fans to support their teams.

Next Steps for Rangers and Celtic

Looking ahead, Rangers are optimistic that they will finalize the necessary works at Ibrox before the scheduled clash on January 2. Currently, the team is playing their home games at Hampden Park due to delays in renovations on their Copland Road Stand.

The third league meeting between Celtic and Rangers is set for March 15 at Celtic Park. The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has confirmed that from this date onward, both clubs will provide ticket allocations for away supporters, contingent upon all necessary requirements being satisfied at both Ibrox and Celtic Park.

Conclusion

The ongoing situation regarding away fans in the Old Firm matches remains a hot topic, with both clubs under scrutiny to fulfill their obligations to ensure fan safety and access. Moving forward, supporters from both sides will hope for a swift resolution that brings back the vibrant atmosphere of rivalry witnessed in past derbies.

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