Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic NEVER wanted to cut Rangers allocation as he wants more tickets for each club

Brendan Rodgers admits he’s thrilled the Old Firm doors have been thrown open to away fans again. But the Celtic boss hopes the decision to allow around 2500 visiting fans into the Glasgow grounds will be the first step in a return to the former bumper allocations.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement also hailed the move for next season after the clubs finally thrashed out an agreement after crunch talks involving the SPFL. Rival fans will still be shut out of Ibrox in next week’s clash and the final league encounter of the campaign at Celtic Park after the split.

There will be a huge bump in numbers next term though with the sides giving 5 percent of seats to their rivals after several seasons of a bare minimum of around 750 punters. Rodgers insisted Celtic NEVER wanted the allocations cut and while he’s delighted at the progress, he’d love to 7500 travelling fans like previous times.

The Irishman said: “It’s huge. The aim at Celtic was never to change it, so if we can get back to where it was before it was changed that would be absolutely great news for everyone.

“It’s absolutely great news for everyone. It’s certainly something this club has championed for a number of years.

“It’s an iconic fixture because of the supporters. It deserves for the supporters of both teams to be in.

“There are two sets of people who have missed out. The players, in terms of the game and the atmosphere that’s created, and then, very importantly, the supporters. They are what makes this fixture.

“So to be able to get 2500 supporters into the stadium – and hopefully over time that can grow – is everything. Because the game is about the players on the field and the supporters. Especially in this fixture – this is really what makes it.

“It’s