Celtic and Rangers stuck in a 'time warp' as Martin O'Neill and Alex McLeish unite in blasting derby away fan lockout

The Old Firm derby is locked inside something of a "time warp" and the away fan lockout must end according to former dug-out rivals Martin O'Neill and Alex McLeish.

Ex Celtic boss O'Neill and former Rangers manager McLeish delivered their verdicts on the long-running issue ahead of this month's blockbuster at Celtic Park. It's Brendan Rodgers vs Philippe Clement for the first time ever the day before New Year's Eve, but as has been the case in the last few league derbies, there will be NO away fans inside Parkhead. That's due to Glasgow's big two still being at odds over ticket allocations for the biggest fixture in the Scottish Premiership.

Chiefs from the league and both clubs have been back and forth over the issue, but as it stands no Rangers fans will be there behind enemy lines to watch Clement's men try and claw back their deficit against the champions. And the fact there will be only one set of supporters irks O'Neill and McLeish, with the latter reckoning we've entered something of a time warp.

O'Neill told PLZ Soccer: "In the issue of no away fans allowed in the stadium, I'm sure Alex and I feel the same about this, there's something lost about the fixture."

McLeish added: "I hate that Martin. Honestly, I was at the first game of the season when Rangers played Celtic and when Celtic scored it was almost like we were in a time warp. Everything went really quiet and with no Celtic fans cheering and Rangers fans just sitting stunned."