Tickets may double for Old Firm fans

Hearts admit they are risking the wrath of their own supporters after confirming they could double the ticket allocation of Celtic and Rangers fans next season.

In a move that Jambos chiefs accept will “not be popular”, the Glasgow giants may be afforded the entire Roseburn Stand from the start of next season due to the capacity of Tynecastle Stadium increasing to more than 20,000.

Since their return to the Premiership in 2015, home sell-outs have been a regular occurrence for Hearts and, as a consequence, away supporters have been handed no more than 1,500 tickets – around half of the Roseburn – with the exception of city rivals Hibernian.

However, there are fears that season ticket sales for the 2017-18 campaign may not keep pace with the upcoming £12 million expansion, leading to Hearts changing their policy on visiting fans in a bid to ensure they fill the their new-look Gorgie home.

Hearts’ new “Category B+” season ticket will see fans able to secure their seats in the Roseburn for all league fixtures except Celtic, Rangers and Hibs, albeit they will be given first priority to purchase tickets elsewhere for those matches.

Fans have been told that the policy may be “revisited” if season ticket sales exceed their expectations.

A club statement confirmed: “We are aware that this will not be a popular decision with all fans, but we hope you will appreciate the economic reality involved, namely that the club must try to maximise attendance. Should season ticket sales exceed our current expectations this would, of course, be revisited.”