Rangers Provide Limited Ticket Allocation for Celtic in League Cup Quarter-Final
Rangers Football Club has announced that they will offer Celtic FC 300 tickets for their upcoming League Cup quarter-final match at Ibrox, scheduled for September 13. This decision follows a recent series of events surrounding the rivalry, particularly a prior encounter that resulted in fan disturbances.
The last face-off between the two clubs at Ibrox took place on March 8 during the Scottish Cup, a match overshadowed by issues of crowd disorder. As a consequence, the Scottish FA mandated that both teams would have to host their subsequent home Scottish Cup matches without spectators.
Approximately 8,000 Celtic fans attended the March match, while attendance for recent league games between the two Glasgow clubs had seen away support numbers drop to the low thousands. Rangers issued a statement explaining that the allocation reduction stems from the publication of the Blackbourne Report and the sanctions that followed, reflecting the clubs’ shared commitment to matchday safety.
The statement elaborated: “Together with the events of March 8 and our assessment of the current risk, these developments have informed our planning for this fixture on September 13. Matchday safety remains our top priority. A reduced allocation allows greater individual ticket-holder accountability, stronger ingress controls, enhanced segregation, and additional safeguards appropriate to the risk identified for this fixture.”
Furthermore, the club noted that since March 8, several pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters have occurred. The Blackbourne Report has highlighted how quickly situations can escalate into larger disturbances between both sets of fans, making the prevention of such incidents crucial for minimizing risks at the upcoming fixture.
Rangers confirmed they have been in discussions with Celtic regarding ticket allocations. “Following the recent cup draw, Rangers approached Celtic with proposals aimed at finding a sustainable way forward,” the statement continued. However, Rangers expressed disappointment with Celtic’s response, indicating that it failed to adequately address concerns about accountability and deterrence.
Rangers stated, “We remain concerned that there is a material risk of recurrence,” emphasizing the need for more effective measures to ensure safety. The club reiterated its willingness to collaborate constructively with stakeholders to ensure matchday security but will not shy away from making necessary decisions to protect its interests.
Looking ahead, Rangers will visit Celtic Park for a Scottish Premiership match on September 20, with ticketing arrangements for that game yet to be confirmed. Notably, away supporters returned to league Old Firm matches in 2025 after a hiatus of traveling fans.
Rangers have confirmed they will provide Celtic with 300 tickets for the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on 13 September.
The most recent meeting of the sides at Ibrox came in the Scottish Cup on 8 March and was marred by fan disorder. Earlier on Friday, the Scottish FA announced both clubs would have to play their next home Scottish Cup games behind closed doors.
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About 8,000 Celtic supporters had attended the 8 March match while recent league encounters of the Glasgow clubs had away support in the low thousands.
And Rangers said: “Since the clubs last considered away allocations, the Blackbourne Report has been published and our sanction issued.
“Together with the events of 8 March and our assessment of the current risk, these developments have informed our planning for this fixture [on 13 September]. Matchday safety remains our top priority.
“A reduced allocation allows greater individual ticket-holder accountability, stronger ingress controls, enhanced segregation and additional safeguards appropriate to the risk identified for this fixture.
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“Since 8 March, there have also been further pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters. The Blackbourne Report demonstrated how quickly an initial incursion can escalate into wider disorder involving both sets of supporters. Preventing another pitch incursion is therefore an important part of reducing the risk of further disorder at this fixture.”
Rangers also said they had been in discussions with Celtic.
“Following the recent cup draw, Rangers approached Celtic with proposals aimed at finding a sustainable way forward,” the Ibrox club’s statement added.
“Celtic responded eight days later and that response did not address our concerns around accountability and deterrence. Rangers has not seen the clear acknowledgement, condemnation or deterrent messaging we believe should follow events of that seriousness from Celtic.
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“Rangers have been left to manage the significant consequences of the damage caused on 8 March. Our concern is whether enough has been done since then to demonstrate accountability and reduce the likelihood of the same behaviour being repeated.
“We remain concerned that there is a material risk of recurrence.
“We are willing to work constructively with all stakeholders and authorities involved in matchday safety for these fixtures. However, the risks currently identified will only be reduced through greater accountability, effective deterrence and constructive joint working.
“We have previously raised concerns where risks identified by the club were not, in our view, given sufficient weight, including in relation to the increased away allocation for the 8 March fixture. Rangers will not be deterred from taking decisions it believes are necessary to protect our club, our stadium and our fans.”
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Rangers will travel to Celtic Park for a Scottish Premiership fixture on 20 September and the ticketing arrangements for that match are still to be confirmed.
Away fans returned to league Old Firm games in 2025 after a period with no travelling support.
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