Chris Jack’s view on Ibrox chiefs cutting Old Firm ticket allocation

Every club must look after their own supporters first and foremost

FOOTBALL is nothing without fans. That fact can often be lost in the modern game but it is as true today as it was when Jock Stein first uttered a phrase that has certainly stood the test of time.

The loyalty, the backing – both financial and emotional – from supporters should never be taken for granted by those that run our sport or our clubs. At Ibrox, it certainly can’t be questioned as the Light Blue legions, through all the ups and downs, have rallied round in recent years.

Too often these days those investments of time, energy, effort and money can be a one-way street so when the chance comes to give something back, it is one that must be taken.

That is what Rangers have done. The decision to cut Celtic’s allocation for Old Firm matches at Ibrox was a bold one, but it was the right one.

Every club must look after their own fans first and foremost and that is what Rangers are doing here. It is their choice, it is their prerogative.

Like it was when Hearts reduced the number of tickets available to Old Firm fans at Tynecastle, or when Hibernian slashed Rangers’ allocation at Easter Road.

If any club is confident they can fill more of their grounds with their own punters, then they are perfectly entitled to try to do so. If they succeed, good for them.

By limiting Celtic to around 800 briefs for the derby clashes next term, Rangers will be able to sell fully inclusive, and full-price, season tickets for the Broomloan Stand.

If Rangers can benefit financially and there are improvements on the park, then their stance will prove to be correct. In that case, the only fans they must concern themselves with will be content and the views of others will continue to be irrelevant.

Supporters that watch their side week in, week out against the rest of the Premiership now won’t have to move into the corner, or miss out on the match completely, when Celtic make the trip across Glasgow for the biggest games on the fixture list.

The announcement from Rangers on Thursday afternoon was somewhat of a surprise but momentum had been building on what was a complex issue.

Many fans had become fed-up with the status quo that saw Celtic occupy an entire end on derby day, but it had seemed unlikely that their wishes would be granted.

At the Light Blues’ Annual General Meeting in November, Managing Director Stewart Robertson played down the chances of a rethink when asked by shareholders.

One of the reasons he stated quickly came to pass last week and within hours of Rangers’ announcement, Celtic released a statement of their own.

When Steven Gerrard takes his side to Parkhead, he will only have a few hundred, rather than a few thousand, supporters cheering on his side. In terms of the spectacle of the Old Firm showdowns, there is no doubt something has been lost here. It will be a shame if a unique occasion is watered down but that rivalry will remain as intense as ever on and off the park.

SportTimes revealed on Saturday that the cuts in allocations will lead to a rethink about how Police Scotland manage the biggest games in Scottish football.

But there should be no fears about Celtic fans being flanked by their Gers counterparts when they take their seats in the corner between the Broomloan and Sandy Jardine Stands.

If Rangers supporters can have the home crowd either side of them at Parkhead, there is no reason why the same arrangement can’t be put in place at Ibrox.

And there is ample time for Police chiefs to devise a plan to ensure fans can arrive and leave both grounds safely, no matter what colour of scarf they take to the game.

Now that the clubs have set off on this path, there is no going back; only time will tell if there are regrets on either side of the Glasgow divide.