Rangers have released a warning to their support over the new away allocation and their itinerary for Sunday’s Glasgow Derby and reveal they’re frustrated with measures put in place.
But while both clubs welcome the return of away allocations, safety remains the top priority. Gers fans have been told they must gather at the east side of the Emirates Arena around 10:00am. Police Scotland will then escort them across London Road to the six away turnstiles. Supporters have been warned they must arrive by 10:30am or risk being held back at the arena. Those arriving late could miss the 12:30pm kick-off.
A statement from Rangers read: “We understand that this early arrival time may be inconvenient for supporters, and we share the frustration this may cause. The club made representations for this to be later, however, we have been advised this is not possible on safety grounds.”
The Glasgow rivals have worked with authorities to put stringent measures in place, both for entry and exit. Police Scotland has also informed travelling supporters of a potential 25-minute holdback after the match. Final decisions on post-match arrangements will be made during the game, based on safety assessments.
This weekend’s derby marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga over away ticket allocations. The previous agreement—offering 7,000 tickets to travelling fans—was scrapped back in 2018 after Rangers slashed Celtic’s allocation. Frustration among their fanbase at watching Celtic celebrate league titles and cup wins in a packed Broomloan Stand led to the reduction. In recent years, there have been games with no away fans at all.
Celtic have pushed for stricter security at both Ibrox and Celtic Park as part of efforts to restore a level of normality to one of the fiercest rivalries in football. The club has taken measures such as limiting fan movement and installing netting around the away section. Sunday’s game will be a test of how these new procedures work in practice.
The game itself kicks off at 12:30pm. Celtic will be looking to extend their already mammoth 16 point lead at the top of the table.
For the Rangers support, early arrival is now part of the matchday experience. Whether these measures become the norm depends on how Sunday’s clash unfolds, both on and off the pitch.
