Following the draw for the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, significant questions have emerged for clubs and supporters, especially those of Glasgow’s major teams, set to battle in a high-stakes match.

Concerns linger about safety and security, particularly in light of the events during the last cup encounter between Rangers and Celtic. How can officials ensure that the match proceeds without incident?

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Fans are also contemplating whether Celtic will be allocated an entire stand at Ibrox, similar to the last match in March. Additionally, a pressing question remains regarding the number of tickets Rangers must provide to their rivals.

The information may surprise some. According to the regulations set by the Scottish Professional Football League for this tournament, Rangers are theoretically required to grant Celtic minimal visiting tickets for the Ibrox match.

BBC Scotland conducted a detailed review of these regulations. Specifically, in Annex 2 of the Scottish Professional Football League Cup Competition Regulations, section 11 outlines the Admission Arrangements for Visiting Clubs. This section clarifies that Rangers need only provide 50 tickets to Celtic—10 for the directors’ box and 40 for the stand, as noted in sub-section one:

“11.1 The Home Club shall forward to the Visiting Club ‘without charge’ tickets, in the numbers set out below, so that they will be in the hands of the Visiting Club on or before the fifth day before the Match (unless under circumstances which render this impracticable) – 10 for Directors’ Box, 40 for the Stand.”

Moreover, the only additional stipulation regarding ticketing in the competition rules applies up to the quarter-final stage:

“11.2 No Official or Player of the Visiting Club shall be entitled to enter the Home Club’s Ground without a ticket.”

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Thus, under the strict interpretation of the rules, Rangers could potentially limit the number of Celtic supporters attending the match at Ibrox.

What is the likely allocation for away fans?

Although the rules specify this requirement, there exists an element of tradition and practice involved. Given the derby’s prominence, the interests of broadcasters, sponsors, and neutral parties often push for an atmosphere conducive to a successful event.

Typically, in the League Cup, clubs tend to follow the norms established for league matches, which state:

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“The Home club must make provision for the admission of such reasonable number of visiting supporters at every home League Match and Play-Off Match as may be agreed in advance with the Visiting Club, and, in the event of their being unable to agree such number not later than 14 days prior to the date of the League Match or Play-Off Match in question, the number of visiting supporters allowed shall be determined by the Board whose decision shall be final and binding.”

Ongoing discussions about what constitutes a “reasonable number” have surfaced between Celtic and Rangers in recent years. Following a period when both clubs barred away fans, a compromise was reached, allowing roughly five percent of the respective stadium’s capacity as visiting fans. This has resulted in approximately 2,500 away fans attending Premiership matches between the two clubs in recent seasons.

Celtic can likely expect a similar allocation as they prepare to face Rangers for a spot in the cup semi-finals.

What happened in Rangers & Celtic’s last cup meeting?

The chaotic aftermath of Celtic’s Scottish Cup victory at Ibrox in March captured headlines and led to an independent inquiry, which criticized both teams for several operational and safety issues.

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Both clubs now face charges, and the inquiry highlighted that “a violent mass confrontation” was narrowly avoided after fans from both sides rushed onto the pitch following Celtic’s victory in the penalty shootout that advanced them to the semi-finals.

During that match, Celtic supporters occupied the entire Broomloan Stand at Ibrox, in accordance with Scottish Cup regulations permitting larger allocations for visiting teams.

The prospect of 7,500 away fans at either venue seems unlikely after the disorder witnessed during that match, which involved the launch of fireworks and resulted in multiple arrests.

What is the timeline for the decision?

A resolution is expected soon, as the match is set for the weekend of September 12.

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Fans should anticipate clarity on which matches will be broadcast live within a couple of days, with Rangers vs. Celtic expected to be a highlight. This announcement will establish the official date and time for the fixture. Regarding ticket arrangements, both Rangers and the SPFL have stated that it is too early to comment, given the draw occurred only recently on Sunday.

Negotiations may occur to ensure that both clubs agree on ticket allocations, avoiding any potential unilateral decisions on numbers.

As soon as the draw was completed for the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals, some big questions arose for clubs and supporters alike, particularly for followers of Glasgow’s big two, pitted against each other in a powder keg tie.

Given what happened the last time Rangers and Celtic met in a cup competition, how can match safety and security be guaranteed?

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What chance is there that Celtic could be given a whole stand at Ibrox, as they were in March?

And, perhaps most intriguingly of all, how many tickets are Rangers obliged to give their rivals?

The answer may well come as a bit of a shock.

Theoretically, Celtic could be offered next to no visiting tickets for the match at Ibrox – at least according to the rules and regulations set out by the Scottish Professional Football League for their primary cup competition.

For confirmation of this, BBC Scotland took a deep dive into the books. The relevant information is listed in Annex 2 – The Scottish Professional Football League Cup Competition Regulations – and section 11, Admission Arrangements for Visiting Clubs and clubs.

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This is where it becomes clear that, in theory at least, Rangers are only required to make 50 tickets available to Celtic – 10 for the directors’ box and 40 for the stand, as detailed in sub-section one:

“11.1 The Home Club shall forward to the Visiting Club ‘without charge’ tickets, in the numbers set out below, so that they will be in the hands of the Visiting Club on or before the fifth day before the Match (unless under circumstances which render this impracticable) – 10 for Directors’ Box, 40 for the Stand.”

Further to this, the only other official stipulation in the competition guidelines that applies to tickets (at least up to and including the quarter-final stage) is in the next section of the rulebook:

“11.2 No Official or Player of the Visiting Club shall be entitled to enter the Home Club’s Ground without a ticket.”

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It would therefore appear to be within Rangers’ gift, according to the strictest reading of the rules, to have very few Celtic supporters at Ibrox.

What is the likely allocation for away fans?

Despite what’s written in the rules, there’s also an element of custom and practice to these things. Especially, as with this derby, the high profile nature of the match and the desire from broadcasters, sponsors and neutral observers to have the best possible atmosphere in the ground.

What clubs tend to do in the League Cup is operate along the parameters of the arrangements already in place for league matches, namely:

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“The Home club must make provision for the admission of such reasonable number of visiting supporters at every home League Match and Play-Off Match as may be agreed in advance with the Visiting Club and, in the event of their being unable to agree such number not later than 14 days prior to the date of the League Match or Play-Off Match in question, the number of visiting supporters allowed shall be determined by the Board whose decision shall be final and binding.”

This “reasonable number” has been a hot topic with Celtic and Rangers for quite some time now. After a period in which both clubs declined entry to away fans, a compromise figure of roughly five per cent of the respective grounds was arrived at, which has meant around 2,500 away fans have been present at Premiership Old Firm games across the past couple of years.

It’s highly likely this will be the kind of allocation Celtic can expect as they go head to head with Ranges for a place in the semi-finals.

What happened in Rangers & Celtic’s last cup meeting?

The ugly scenes that followed Celtic’s Scottish Cup win over Rangers at Ibrox in March made headlines and led to an independent inquiry, which criticised both clubs and virtually every aspect of the tie from an operational and safety standpoint.

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Celtic and Rangers both face charges and the review concluded that “a violent mass confrontation” was only narrowly avoided after a number of spectators from both sides went on to the pitch after Martin O’Neill’s side won a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals.

Celtic supporters had been given the whole of the Broomloan Stand, the traditional away end at Ibrox, in line with Scottish Cup rules that allow for a larger allocation of tickets to the visiting club.

The chances of 7,500 away fans at either ground in future now appear remote after the near-carnage witnessed that day when fireworks were thrown and multiple arrests were made.

What is the timeline for the decision?

The short answer to that is very soon, given the match itself is scheduled for the weekend of 12 September.

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Supporters should know within a day or two which matches have been picked up for live broadcast, with Rangers v Celtic certain to be the jewel in the television crown for the quarter-finals.

That will determine the date and time of the fixture. As for the ticket arrangements? Both Rangers and the SPFL say it’s far too soon to make any comment, given the draw was only made on Sunday.

There may also be some negotiating to be done to ensure both clubs are happy with any proposed arrangements and avoid the final decision on numbers being taken out of their hands entirely.