Rangers and Celtic will play their derby matches this season without any away supporters present. The temporary arrangement covers all Scottish Premiership and Premier Sports Cup fixtures and was agreed following talks between the Glasgow clubs and the Scottish Professional Football League, as reported by the BBC.
Why have away fans been banned?
The decision stems from an independent Scottish FA review into crowd disorder after last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final. That match at Ibrox on 8 March saw Celtic win a penalty shootout, with around 8,000 visiting supporters in attendance. It was the first time Celtic had been given the full Broomloan Road Stand allocation since away numbers were reduced below 1,000 in 2018. Rangers had actually proposed a reduced allocation of 300 away fans for the upcoming cup tie, but Celtic rejected that offer. The Scottish FA subsequently announced both clubs must play their next Scottish Cup home games behind closed doors.
What is the recent history of away allocations?
Away fan numbers at Ibrox and Celtic Park have been a point of contention for years. They fluctuated between roughly 800 and zero in a series of reciprocal moves before a deal was struck for the 2025 and 2026 league seasons. That agreement allowed for around five percent of stadium capacity, equating to 2,500 to 3,000 away supporters. The current ban represents a significant step back from that arrangement. All parties have committed to working constructively during this period, with safety and security remaining the overriding priority.
What have the managers said about the decision?
Rangers manager Derek McInnes described the news as disappointing. "It's always better when opposition fans are allowed into a derby game," McInnes said. He added that he believed the matter was still under discussion, so the announcement caught him somewhat by surprise. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill called the decision inevitable but sad. "It's a great, great fixture when the ground is absolutely full," O'Neill stated. He expressed hope that the two clubs would eventually get together to try and resolve the underlying problems, noting that away fans are a vital part of the occasion.
How does this affect Rangers' current season?
The news comes as Rangers sit fourth in the Scottish Premiership with 10 points from five games, recording three wins, one draw and one loss. Their recent form reads WWWLD, and they have scored six goals while conceding four, giving them a +2 goal difference. They currently trail league leaders Celtic by five points in the title race. The team is also dealing with several absences, with Lawrence Shankland, Tuur Rommens, Youssef Chermiti, and José Cifuentes all currently sidelined. Fans can check the latest availability on the club's injuries page.
The first derby under the new rules is the Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox on 13 September. The teams then meet at Celtic Park in the league just a week later. Rangers' next scheduled fixture after that is a home match against second-placed Heart of Midlothian on 19 December, a key game you can find on the full fixtures list.
