Key Points
- Rangers fans barred from Celtic Park Old Firm match due to ticketing dispute despite SPFL sub-committee ruling Celtic’s zero-ticket allocation unreasonable.
- Celtic refused to provide evidence on stadium capacity, preventing sub-committee from mandating specific ticket numbers.
- Rangers offered Celtic 708 tickets for earlier Ibrox fixture, rejected over fan safety concerns.
- Last season’s final two Old Firm league games held without away supporters following safety incidents at both stadiums.
- Celtic leads Scottish Premiership by five points over Rangers, who hold two games in hand.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 10, 2026 – Rangers supporters face exclusion from the upcoming Old Firm derby at Celtic Park after a bitter ticketing row escalated, with an SPFL sub-committee deeming Celtic’s refusal to allocate any away tickets unreasonable yet unable to enforce a number.
The impasse stems from Celtic’s stance on safety issues, citing recent problems at both Ibrox and Celtic Park, leading to their decision to provide zero tickets for the December 30 clash. Rangers highlighted the unfairness, noting Celtic’s failure to submit sufficient evidence tied the sub-committee’s hands.
What Triggered the Ticketing Dispute?
Rangers issued a statement condemning the outcome as grossly unfair, arguing that a club’s failure to provide evidence should not allow zero tickets when deemed unreasonable by the sub-committee. Celtic maintained their position remains clear given serious safety and matchday issues experienced by fans at recent fixtures.
As reported by Sky Sports, Rangers had offered Celtic 708 tickets for the season’s first Old Firm meeting at Ibrox in September, but Parkhead officials turned it down due to ongoing safety concerns.
How Have Safety Issues Shaped Old Firm Matches?
Both clubs have grappled with supporter safety, resulting in no away fans at the final two league Old Firm games last season after incidents at Celtic Park and Ibrox. Celtic’s statement emphasised focusing on safety and matchday experience, pledging to address reasonable allocations responsibly from next year.
What Role Did the SPFL Play in the Decision?
The SPFL board sub-committee sided with Rangers that zero tickets could not be reasonable, but lacked Celtic-submitted evidence to determine an appropriate allocation, leaving Rangers fans unable to attend. This marks a continuation of tensions, with historical precedents like Rangers reducing Celtic’s Ibrox allocation to 800 tickets in 2018 amid safety surveys and fan incidents.
What Could This Mean for the Title Race?
With Celtic leading the Scottish Premiership by five points and Rangers holding two games in hand, the dispute adds pressure to the fierce rivalry. Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller suggested Celtic fans may be panicking as their rivals close in on the title chase.
The scenario underscores ongoing challenges in balancing fan access with safety in high-stakes Old Firm encounters, potentially influencing future SPFL ticketing protocols.
