In a move that can only be described as shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, Rangers have finally lodged a planning application with Glasgow City Council to begin the safety process for Celtic fans at Ibrox on derby days. This comes only after Celtic raised serious concerns and took the reluctant decision to pull Rangers’ away allocation for the first derby of the season.

Celtic, for their part, have been ahead of the curve in ensuring fan safety. Earlier this year, both clubs agreed to allow around 2,500 away fans for each SPFL Glasgow derby, but this came with strict conditions. These included the installation of protective nets and the implementation of safe entry and exit systems at both stadiums. Celtic swiftly acted on this agreement, submitting a planning application to Glasgow City Council on February 15, 2024, which was approved a month later. Construction at Celtic Park began in early July to ensure that all necessary safety measures were in place well before the new season.

However, despite the mutual agreement, Rangers failed to take similar steps. It was only after Celtic pulled the allocation for the first derby—citing safety concerns due to the lack of progress at Ibrox—that Rangers finally moved to submit their own application. The newly lodged planning permission specifically addresses the installation of nets intended to protect Celtic fans during matches.

Concerns Remain Over Ibrox Safety

While the move to install the nets is a step in the right direction, significant concerns remain. Outside of the away end at Ibrox, the area still requires reconfiguration to support the safe movement of fans entering and exiting the stadium. This takes significant time. As of now, there are no visible plans from Rangers addressing this critical issue.

CeltsAreHere understands that both clubs were to have all necessary safety measures completed before the first derby of the season, regardless of which side was hosting. With Rangers only now starting the process, they have made it impossible for the new agreement to go ahead.

The usual suspects in the media are reporting the news that Rangers have applied for a safety net like it’s a new signing for the Ibrox club and pushing the narrative that Celtic are to blame for the latest shut out. As Brendan Rodgers said last week ‘it’s not a Celtic thing, it’s a Rangers thing’.

For the sake of the fixture and the supporters, it’s crucial that Rangers complete the required work promptly and correctly. The hope now is that these measures will be fully in place, allowing away fans to attend the final two derbies of the season in a safe and secure environment.

Until then, the onus remains on Rangers to meet their obligations and ensure that all fans can enjoy the spectacle of the Glasgow derby without fear for their safety.