Dons fans rage over allocation for replay
ABERDEEN supporters are furious they are getting fewer than 1000 Scottish Cup tickets for “their biggest match of the season” against Rangers.
The Dons had wanted a bigger allocation for Tuesday night’s replay but were informed they are getting just 972 tickets – the usual for away clubs in league games at Ibrox. Scottish Cup rules state
that clubs are entitled to anything up to 20 per cent of an away ground’s capacity, with Ibrox currently holding around 50,000 people.
Rangers also got just 2000 tickets for Sunday’s first game at Pittodrie – which was also under a fifth of the total capacity.
Derek Ledingham of the Granite City Aberdeen Supporters’ Club said: “It is the biggest game of the season for both Aberdeen and Rangers.
“With the best will in the world, Celtic are going to win the league and so the Scottish Cup offers the best chance for Aberdeen or Rangers to win anything this season.
“It is a big game and there are a lot of Aberdeen fans who are concerned they are not going to get tickets.
“Cup games always bring out more fans because they are bigger than league games.
“Last season we took 1500 to the replay at Kilmarnock and I know we would have easily taken that again down to Ibrox, so it is disappointing we are getting fewer than 1000 tickets.”
Aberdeen officials were informed of the decision after consultation with Rangers who said the decision has been taken on safety grounds and on the advice of the police.
The Rangers v Aberdeen fixture is viewed as a highrisk category match and the police felt it could lead to additional problems.
A club statement said: “Aberdeen can confirm we will receive an allocation of 972 tickets for our Scottish Cup replay against Rangers at Ibrox on Tuesday, March 12th.”
Rangers face a bill for a number of seats and damage that was caused to the away section of the South Stand during the 1-1 draw last Sunday, while Aberdeen are also looking into an abusive banner aimed at Alfredo Morelos.
Meanwhile, Dons gaffer Derek McInnes accepts his side are now up against it to finish in the top two.
Aberdeen have finished Premiership runners-up to Celtic for the past four seasons but sit eight points behind Rangers, with the Hoops the same points ahead again at the top.
McInnes, who takes his team to Parkhead this weekend, knows time is running out.
He said: “We look too far away from the teams above us now but you never give it up.
“You keep going but I have said often enough that our fight is with ourselves.
“We just need to keep working away and keep picking up points.
“Once we get to the 30-game mark or the split you see where you are and what you can do.”