Brendan Rodgers’ Rangers ticket contempt met with Philippe Clement Celtic whimper

Old Firm rivals Rangers and Celtic aren’t exactly famous for seeing eye-to-eye.

The two clubs represent the antithesis of one another and are rarely willing to do any favours should the need ever arise.

In fact, quite to the contrary.

And no more is that bitter contempt better exemplified than in the Old Firm ticket allocation fiasco, with Celtic now banning away fans for the upcoming Scottish Premiership clash on September 1st.

They aren’t the first of course, but plenty hope they will be the last, as Celtic cite the rumbling Ibrox renovation fiasco as justification for pulling the briefs in a fortnight’s time.

This comes after Rangers and Celtic had struck a deal to give up 5% of their capacity on (there is no) Old Firm day following four Premiership matches without away fans last season.

Celtic claim they have begun to put in the necessary safety precautions whilst suggesting Rangers – currently housed at Hampden – are unable to guarantee the same as renovations to the Copland Stand continue to hamstring the Ibrox club this season.

Now, both managers have had their say and there are some contrasting reactions to the situation in Glasgow.

Rodgers riled by big bad Rangers

Contrary to popular belief on Janefield Street, whilst Rangers kickstarted the ticket fiasco in the Old Firm derby, it was actually Hibs who kickstarted the trend in Scottish football.

Under the management of Neil Lennon, the Edinburgh club cut briefs for Rangers fans at Easter Road in 2018.

Since then the likes of Hearts, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen have all followed suit.

Later that year, Rangers cut Celtic’s allocation for a game at Ibrox from 7000 to 800 and Steven Gerrard defeated Brendan Rodgers’ first Celtic team 1-0.

As Rangers ambled their way back to the top of the Scottish Premiership, it is an off-pitch advantage which clearly worked and it’s something which clearly continues to irk the Parkhead boss.