Postecoglou hopes Cup semi-final can help to bring about a more-even split in derbies
Ange Postecoglou hopes a trouble-free Scottish Cup semi-final can help hasten a return of a more-even split of fans for Old Firm derbies.
With next Sunday’s tie played at neutral Hampden Park, the 50,000 capacity will be divided 50:50 between the Glasgow rivals.
The Celtic manager believes that will be a refreshing change after this season’s three league meetings between the pair.
There were no away fans at all allowed into the first two derbies at Ibrox then Celtic Park and only 700 Celtic supporters in at the game at Rangers’ home a week ago.
“The atmosphere at the semi-final is going to be unbelievable. Wow!” he said.
“This is a one-off game and there is going to be an edge to it.
“It will be unique but it will be great. So far, we have just had a taste of what it can be.
“Our 700 were pretty loud the other day and did a fantastic job supporting us. Hopefully we will get increased numbers in all the derbies.
“I’d like to think the Hampden experience will encourage people to look at that because there is no doubt that in every game if you can have a fair share of supporters from both sides it adds to the event.”
The Ibrox encounter last Sunday, won 2-1 by Celtic, was marred by trouble. A man was charged after a member of Postecoglou’s backroom staff, a physio, was hit by a glass bottle and required treatment during the game.
The start of the second half had to be delayed too after Hoops’ goalkeeper Joe Hart asked stewards to come on and clear broken glass from his penalty area. Postecoglou (inset), though, is unfazed by
the possibility trouble could flare up again when the teams meet at the national stadium.
“You would hope not and I am sure the authorities are well aware of it,” he said.
“With all these things you rely on the people who are responsible for those kind of issues to have control.
“It is not something I am going to spend too much time thinking about because there are people who are much better informed to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“It is not just for the players either but for the supporters too.
“When I look around grounds there are a lot of families there, a lot of young kids there.
“We want to be able to say the atmosphere at these games is second to none and people leave the stadium – irrespective of result – knowing that they have been part of something big and special.”
The Celtic manager promises he and his coaches will do their bit to try to ensure the showpiece goes off peacefully. “That is our responsibility,” he said. “There is no point in us getting emotional about it in that moment. We have to rely on the authorities, the people who are in charge, to make sure that they are in control of things.
“If it ever feels like it is out of control then obviously we will try and address it ourselves as participants but ultimately our role is to make sure we don’t add fuel to the fire.
“I think you could see the other day we had a group of players who handled events really well.”
While pleased with his players’ performances in the last two derby wins, Postecoglou insists the tie will be a fresh test for them.
“With Cup semi-finals you know it doesn’t matter what form you are in, it doesn’t matter what has happened in the previous encounters,” he said.
“Those kind of things become secondary. You just know it is going to be a really tight contest and we will be ready for it.
“The confidence we have is in our ability to overcome the challenges we have encountered so far and the semifinal will be another one.”