For the avoidance of doubt: “This wasn’t a Celtic thing,” Brendan Rodgers

The Celtic Star

·1 March 2025

For the avoidance of doubt: “This wasn’t a Celtic thing,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers is optimistic that the reinstatement of away supporters for Glasgow Derby matches is just a starting point…

A dejected theRangers fan sits with his head in his hands in the Govan Stand after watching his team lose 3-2 against 10 men Celtic. theRangers v Celtic, at Ibrox on Beautiful Sunday, 11 March 2018. Photo by Stuart Wallace Shutterstock.

It all goes back to Beautiful Sunday

Following an announcement from the two clubs on Friday, theRangers will receive 2400 tickets for their visit to Celtic Park on March 16 with this expected to be reciprocated for visiting Hoops supporters for the split match at Ibrox in April or May.

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However, Rodgers is eager for away allocations to keep increasing and eventually restore the larger away sections that were traditionally in place at both stadiums before the Ibrox club had thrown their toys out the pram in 2018.

The Celtic team celebrate victory after the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 11, 2018. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Yeah. I think everyone is [happy to see the away allocation back],” said the Celtic boss. “It’s a big part of the fixture. Having been involved in it both with the supporters there, both home and away, and then obviously them being taken away, it does make a difference.

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic celebrates victory after the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on Beautiful Sunday March 11, 2018. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I think it is great for everyone. Great for the game, great for the spectacle of the game and obviously for the supporters getting the chance to see their team, which is great. We just have to get the supporters back in the stadium again,” he added. “That was the start point and then hopefully it can get somewhere near to what it was before, because that always created an amazing atmosphere.”

Brendan Rodgers manager of Celtic and Scott Brown of Celtic celebrate victory together after the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 11, 2018 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 52 year-old emphasised that no away fans at either ground from 2022 was “out of our [Celtic’s] control,” and praised CEO Michael Nicholson for reaching a resolution on the matter. “This is all the club, the club have dealt with it really well,” he said. “Like I always said before, this wasn’t a Celtic thing, this was something that sadly was out of our control at the beginning of it all.”

“Thankfully now both clubs have come together. It has been Michael and the people behind the scenes who have dealt with it. It’s great for all of us involved in the game.”

Beautiful Sunday broke Dave King and that led to the away allocations being cut – Lest We Forget

theRangers chairman Dave King looks on from the stands during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on Beautiful Sunday March 11, 2018 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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