O'Neill would rather Celtic had no fans at Ibrox than 300
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has voiced strong displeasure at the limited away fan allocation for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox, saying he'd rather see no Celtic supporters in the away end than the 300 currently permitted. The comments come amid ongoing debates in Scottish football about away fan allocations at Old Firm fixtures, where safety and segregation considerations often reduce the usual away contingent. O'Neill's remarks highlight the symbolic importance of fan presence in one of world football's most heated rivalries, and put pressure on Rangers and the authorities over the allocation policy for the fixture.
Read the full story at bbc.co.ukThe Old Firm is one of the most emotionally charged fixtures in football, and the question of away support sits at the heart of its identity. O'Neill's intervention reframes the conversation from logistics to principle — a manager of Celtic's stature suggesting a complete absence would be preferable to a token presence speaks to how seriously the travelling support tradition is taken. It also keeps the spotlight on Rangers and the SPFL authorities, who must balance safety demands with the cultural weight of the fixture. Whether the allocation changes or not, the atmosphere inside Ibrox is now a subplot that will colour the build-up to the match.
Context added by Socc360, not by bbc.co.uk.
Data source: bbc.co.uk (via Socc360). Last updated .
More carabao cup stories
Never miss a moment.
Live scores, goal alerts and Live Activities on your Lock Screen — get Socc360 for iOS.