Managers welcome return of away Old Firm fans

Away supporters will return to matches between Celtic and Rangers from the next Old Firm derby on 16 March - a move welcomed by new Ibrox head coach Barry Ferguson as "a start".

There have been no visiting fans at Old Firm fixtures since 2023, with the clubs unable to agree on ticketing arrangements.

Celtic host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership next month and the sides will meet again at Ibrox later in the campaign, with the clubs having agreed to allocate "4% of saleable capacity" at each stadium to visiting fans.

Asked if he would like a return to the much larger away supports he experienced when he was a Rangers player, Ferguson replied: "At this moment in time, I'm just happy that the fans are back. In time, we'll wait and see, but at least it's a start.

"It'll be good that the fans will be at Celtic Park. I've always said it's something that the fixtures missed. In an ideal situation, it would be great if there was more.

"But the way it is, the way it's happened, the number of tickets we're getting, I'm just glad that away supporters are allowed back."

Earlier, Rangers had announced in a statement: "Rangers supporters will be able to attend our match with Celtic on 16 March, with the two clubs agreeing for a reciprocal percentage of tickets to be allocated to away fans.

"Approximately 4% of saleable capacity at both stadiums will be given to the visiting club, with everyone at Rangers looking forward to having the backing of our supporters in the East End of Glasgow in just over a fortnight's time.

"The arrangement will then be repeated for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox following the split."

Celtic said: "We can confirm that, following the previous SPFL determination from last year and with necessary requirements being addressed, away supporters will be present at the next two Glasgow derby matches this season at Celtic Park and Ibrox."