Brendan Rodgers backs Celtic ticket stance for Rangers clashes as he reveals priority for derby day

Brendan Rodgers has backed Celtic’s solid stance in the Old Firm ticket war.

The Hoops boss has always admitted the derby clash has been damaged by the reduced numbers of travelling supporters and the recent total shutouts of away fans. But Rodgers is on board with club chiefs decision to knock back 700 briefs for Ibrox on September 3 amid safety concerns – and the plan to deny Gers punters access for the return clash at Parkhead in December.

Ibrox bosses are set to demand their minimum allocation of around 800 tickets and are prepared to complain to the SPFL if Celts don’t play ball. But Record Sport revealed yesterday the Hoops hierarchy will fight any attempts from the league to force the issue and there is no way the Light Blues legions will get in. Rodgers said: “I think ultimately, from the club’s perspective, it’s about the safety of the game. That’s obviously the priority.

“I’ve obviously been lucky enough to watch the games over many years and to be a part of them in my first period here. I probably don’t want to get too much into it just now because of the timing of it. I can talk more leading into the game on it. But I’ve got my own views on it having felt the atmosphere and everything with it.”

Rodgers attempted to side-step the issue for now but he’s previously admitted the derby has been diminished by the ongoing ticket scrap – with Celtic fans seeing their numbers slashed following his previous reign in 2019. He said: “There has been something taken away from the games.

“I think over the course of the games, home and away, they have been great spectacles, partly because of the impact of the away support. That’s now limited.”

Rodgers is focused on tomorrow’s Viaplay Cup clash at Kilmarnock and he