Away fans to return to Old Firm derbies next season

Rangers and Celtic have reached an agreement to grant around 5% of the tickets in their stadium to away supporters for the Old Firm derby matches from next season onwards.

The two clubs have been at loggerheads in recent years, both chopping each other's allocations in a tit-for-tat manner stemming from the Light Blues’ decision to reduce the number of visiting fans allowed in after Steven Gerrard’s arrival as manager in 2018.

More than 7,000 away supporters were traditionally allowed to attend Glasgow derbies, but there have been none present at recent matches between the teams, with Celtic citing safety concerns around having such a small number of fans for such a highly-charged fixture when they refused the offer of 700 tickets for Ibrox earlier this term.

This situation was widely deemed as detrimental to the spectacle of what was previously viewed as one of Europe’s most historic fixtures.

Scottish Professional Football League rules merely stated that the home club must make provision for the admission of a "reasonable" number of visiting supporters at every home league match.

However, the league’s governing body has now intervened to help find a solution.

"Following engagement with both clubs, the SPFL is pleased to confirm that Rangers FC and Celtic FC will provide ticket allocations of around 5% for away supporters, for SPFL matches between the two clubs," read a statement from the SPFL on Friday.

"This will be effective from Scottish Premiership season 2024/25, subject to all necessary requirements being satisfied at both Ibrox and Celtic Park.

"It does not affect the remaining two league matches between the clubs in season 2023/24, which will remain at a zero allocation for away supporters."

The capacity of Ibrox is