Barry Ferguson and Ian Durrant have hit out at Celtic’s handling of the latest ticket dispute with Rangers, accusing the club of double standards as tensions rise ahead of the next Glasgow derby.
The controversy intensified after Celtic reportedly made their allocation of away tickets conditional, asking Rangers to ensure that members of the Union Bears ultras group would not be part of the travelling support. That request has effectively stalled negotiations between the two clubs.
At present, it appears Rangers supporters will not be present at Celtic Park, with the Ibrox club unwilling to accept the terms put forward.
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson didn’t hold back when discussing the situation. Speaking on the Five Stars VIP Podcast, he insisted that existing agreements should be honoured.
“There’s an SPFL sub-committee involved, but Rangers should still be getting those tickets,” he said. “I’d be furious if that 2,500 allocation isn’t granted. There’s an agreement there, and it should be respected. It’s as simple as that.”
Ian Durrant echoed that frustration, questioning how Celtic’s demands could realistically be enforced.
“They’re basically saying they don’t want a certain group in the crowd,” he said. “Are fans supposed to declare they’re not part of that group just to get a ticket? It doesn’t make sense.
“It feels like Celtic are calling the shots because they’d rather not have an away crowd. But in doing that, they’re stopping ordinary supporters from watching their team, and that’s disappointing.”
Durrant also pointed to what he sees as inconsistency, recalling that Rangers previously accommodated a significantly larger Celtic support at Ibrox.
“We managed to host thousands of their fans without issue,” he added. “So why can’t that be reciprocated? It doesn’t sit right.”
The Scottish Professional Football League is expected to step in, with a meeting scheduled to determine how the situation will be resolved and whether any compromise can be reached.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of trouble during the last derby at Ibrox, where individuals wearing face coverings entered the pitch and approached the Celtic section, with reports of objects being thrown and a staff member assaulted. Those incidents have clearly influenced Celtic’s current stance.
However, critics argue that Celtic’s own ultras group, the Green Brigade, will still be in attendance at the return fixture, raising further questions about consistency and fairness.
With both sides holding firm, the outcome now rests with the league authorities, as fans await a final decision on whether away supporters will be allowed into one of football’s most heated rivalries.
