Ange Postecoglou hopes Old Firm clubs increase away allocation in future

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou hopes larger away allocations for fans can restore the traditional derby atmosphere in years to come against Rangers.

But he insists there is no reason why his team cannot repeat the sort of approach they showed last time out against Rangers in front of their small band of visiting supporters at Ibrox.

Celtic blew Rangers away in the first half of their previous meeting in front of 60,000 of their fans at Parkhead, scoring three goals without reply.

Postecoglou is looking for the same impact when his men run out in front of nearly 50,000 Gers fans and around 700 Hoops supporters on Sunday.

Rangers ended the tradition of both clubs taking around 7,500 tickets for each other’s grounds in 2018 and the pandemic ensured there were no away fans over the past two years.

Sunday will be the first time there have been two sets of fans inside the stadium for a derby clash in Glasgow since December 2019.

But Postecoglou said: “It’s a bit of a stretch saying both sets of fans. We will have about 700 in there, who no doubt will make an impression.

“Yeah, look, it’s great. When you look at all the derby games around the world, that’s what makes them a little bit special, you obviously get some parochial support from both sides.

“It would be great if we can increase that number over the next few years but just to have 700 there will be great for us.

“I am sure they will make a noise and make an impact but irrespective, the atmosphere will be great, that’s what makes these games special.”

When asked how difficult it would be to repeat their most recent derby performance in front of a partisan Ibrox crowd, Postecoglou said: “I think, to be fair to us, we have been doing that every week, irrespective of