Away supporters are set to make their return to the Old Firm derby next month for the first time in over two years.
Rangers will receive an allocation of around 2,500 tickets for the match scheduled to take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, March 16.
This will mark the largest away attendance at the fixture since 2018, when 7,000 visiting fans were present at each derby.
Celtic, in turn, will be allocated approximately 2,000 tickets for their next visit to Ibrox, which will occur after the Premiership split. This arrangement follows an agreement between the clubs to allocate 4% of each stadium’s capacity to away fans.
Seven years ago, Rangers reduced Celtic’s ticket allocation to fewer than 1,000, prompting a reciprocal response from the Hoops. As a result, all subsequent matches between the two sides have seen between 0 and 750 away fans in attendance.
Last season’s Old Firm matches, as well as the first two of this campaign, were played exclusively in front of home fans due to an ongoing dispute between the clubs.
The last league meeting with both sets of fans present took place in January 2023, when around 700 Celtic supporters witnessed their team secure a late 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
In March of last year, the clubs agreed to allocate approximately 5% of their stadium capacity to visiting supporters. However, this agreement was revoked following another disagreement and behind-the-scenes discussions involving Glasgow City Council and Police.
The dispute centered around security upgrades, including the installation of netting, at both stadiums.
However, both clubs have now confirmed that away fans will be present at the upcoming fixture in two weeks’ time, following a renewed agreement.
Celtic announced the news on Friday, stating: “We can confirm that following the previous SPFL determination from last year and with necessary requirements being addressed, away supporters will be present at the next two Glasgow derby matches this season at Celtic Park (March 16) and Ibrox.
“Allocations will be around 4% of saleable capacity at both stadia.”
Rangers also released a statement, saying: “Rangers supporters will be able to attend our match with Celtic on March 16, with the two clubs agreeing for a reciprocal percentage of tickets to be allocated to away fans.
“Approximately four per-cent of saleable capacity at both stadia will be given to the visiting club, with everyone at Rangers looking forward to having the backing of our supporters in the East End of Glasgow in just over a fortnight’s time.
“The arrangement will then be repeated for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox following the split.”
In the first derby of the season, the Hoops secured a 3-0 victory at Parkhead, while Rangers responded with a 3-0 win in the New Year’s fixture in January.
The only other encounter between the two sides this season was in the League Cup final, where Celtic emerged victorious on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
