Rangers have confirmed they will accept their allocation of away tickets for the final Old Firm meeting of the season against Celtic. However, the Ibrox club has concurrently voiced significant dissatisfaction with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) for its decision to support Celtic in the ongoing dispute over away ticket numbers. Rangers stated they are "deeply disappointed" by the SPFL's position, arguing it establishes a "concerning precedent" for future fixture arrangements within the league.
The issue of away fan allocations for the fiercely contested Glasgow derby has been a contentious topic in recent seasons. Traditionally, both clubs provided substantial away support for these fixtures. However, this has been significantly reduced, leading to a series of disagreements between the clubs and, more recently, involving the league governing body.
Rangers' decision to accept the tickets ensures that their supporters will be present at Celtic Park for the crucial league encounter. Despite this, their strong condemnation of the SPFL's backing of Celtic highlights the underlying tension that persists regarding the management and regulation of these high-profile matches.
The club's statement underscores their belief that the SPFL's intervention and subsequent ruling in favour of Celtic could have wider implications for how such disputes are handled across Scottish football. This sentiment suggests a concern that the current resolution may not be seen as a fair or equitable outcome by all parties involved, potentially impacting future negotiations over matchday logistics.