Celtic fans are known for travelling in numbers no matter the circumstance to follow their side at away venues up and down the country.
European trips have always provided major excitement as Hoops supporters make their way by planes, trains and automobiles to back their side on foreign shores.
Rangers made the initial decision in 2018 to cut Celtic’s allocation at Ibrox from 8000 to 600, citing an increased demand from their own fans.
Ever since, both clubs have been at loggerheads over the distribution of supporters that should be allowed to attend each other’s respective stadiums; however, no official agreement to return to the previous figure has ever come to fruition.
It is unclear whether Brendan Rodgers’ side will have vocal backing when they travel to face Rangers in early April.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that talks had taken place over a resolution, though no official announcement has been forthcoming.
Frankly, the debate has become a rather tiresome one, and it would be nice if something were done about it to avoid the never-ending cycle that the Glasgow Derby’s lack of away atmosphere brings to the table.
Paul Lambert would’ve played in front of a passionate Celtic following at Ibrox on many occasions and will know more than most of the benefits a large away support can offer on derby day.
Unsurprisingly, the 54-year-old is keen to see both clubs come to a resolution surrounding the situation and is baffled it hasn’t been sorted out sooner as it is ‘not the same’ without the back-and-forth from opposing fans.
Lambert stated [Cited via The Daily Record]: “The Old Firm games are built on the support and the rivalry between the two sets of fans. Going back to my time, we used to get an allocation of about 7,000 for away fans, and it always makes the game. Whoever made that decision needs their head read.
“Not letting fans in is the wrong decision, everyone in the world wants to see that game. People all over the world have asked me if they can come to an Old Firm game. It’s just so different without away fans and really not the same spectacle. Whoever made that choice has taken something away from the game.
“You can play Celtic vs Rangers on the moon and people would want to watch it, the ferocity and the size of the game means it is that desired.”
He later added: “From the outside looking in, people must look at this game and be so perplexed as to why there are no fans there.”
Celtic need all the support they can get in the hunt for the title, and it would be nice to see an allocation return in some form, perhaps in time for their next trip across the city.
Whether the full quota from previous years will ever be reinstated is a question for the powers that be; nonetheless, there needs to be some form of clarity from either side.
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