Rangers fans told it straight by club legend over likely Celtic Park away fan lockout for huge post-split derby
A former Rangers captain thinks there could be another ban put in place for visiting supporters heading into final Old Firm game of the season
Barry Ferguson is fearful that Rangers fans will not be allowed to attend the post-split Old Firm clash at Celtic Park following Sunday’s shameful pitch invasion.
Shocking scenes escalated in the immediate aftermath of Celtic’s Scottish Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out win at Ibrox as both sets of supporters spilled onto the pitch. Fights broke out and pyrotechnics were thrown in opposite directions.
The cup tie saw the return of 7,500 visiting fans pack out the Broomloan Road Stand for the first time since 2018, but Ferguson thinks there could be a return to a complete lockout for the last derby clash after the ugly scenes that unfolded last weekend.
The SFA and Police Scotland have launched a “robust investigation” into the incident while both clubs are yet to comment on the crowd trouble. It was confirmed on Monday that nine arrests were made following the disorder with that number expected to rise significantly.
Celtic ultras group, the Green Brigade, remain banned indefinitely from Parkhead this season, and Ferguson reckons there could be another ban in place for visiting supporters when the two sides face off for the final time this season post-split.
Barry Ferguson expecting no away fans at final Old Firm game of the season
He told Five Stars podcast: “Well certainly none of our fans will be in. You need to wait and see the statements from both clubs but if you’re asking me I think it will be 62,000 Celtic fans.
“There will not be any fans in of your own which is disappointing. You’ve still got to go to Celtic Park and Tynecastle, so you’ve still got some difficult fixtures coming up.
“You can’t let your mind wander after a disappointing couple of weeks. We just need to focus on what’s coming up at the weekend. It wouldn’t bother me if they had a 100,000 fans at the stadium you just want to go and beat your rivals.”