Hoops hit back at Gers decision

THE atmosphere at Scottish football’s most high-profile game i s set to undergo radical change after Celtic swiftly hit back at Rangers’ decision to slash their Ibrox ticket allocation.

Rangers announced that all clubs would be handed a corner section of I brox next season amid “unprecedented levels of support” from their own fans, resulting in Celtic’s allocation being cut from more than 7,000 to around 900. All other clubs are already limited to the same figure in Ladbrokes Premiership matches.

Celtic soon confirmed the reciprocal agreement that has seen a similar amount of Gers fans visit Celtic Park had well and truly come to an end.

Ibrox and Celtic Park are set to be more than 98% full of home fans during league games next season, which will significantly alter the atmosphere.

Rangers’ decision comes on the back of increased demand for season tickets following the appointment of Steven Gerrard as boss.

The Light Blues received “more than 40,000 renewals” before the deadline and are now set to announce plans to open up the process to new season ticket holders.

A club statement read: “Our supporters will always come first and as many of them as possible must be accommodated.That is why the club has decided on an overall increase in the total number of season tickets available to our supporters to what will be a historical record.”

Celtic’s response came inside 90 minutes. Neither club mentioned each other by name.

The champions said: “We are happy to reciprocate in terms of ticket allocation, something which will give us the opportunity to meet this huge demand to visit Celtic Park.”

There will be less away fans at Old Firm games next term.