Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, has expressed his delight that the Old Firm doors have been thrown open to away fans once again. The decision to allow around 2500 visiting fans into the Glasgow grounds marks a significant step towards a return to the former bumper allocations. Rangers manager Philippe Clement also hailed this move for the next season after the clubs finally reached an agreement following crunch talks involving the SPFL.
The Importance of Supporters
Rodgers emphasized that Celtic never wanted the allocations cut and expressed his hope for a return to the previous times when 7500 traveling fans were present. He stated, “It’s an iconic fixture because of the supporters. It deserves for the supporters of both teams to be in.” The passionate atmosphere created by rival fans is an integral part of this historic fixture.
A Positive Development for Football
Clement echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that football thrives on the energy generated by both sets of fans. He said, “Nobody enjoyed the Covid period when there were no fans; it was really difficult. For me, it was also really strange to play at Celtic Park without supporters. It is part of football, part of our lives, and you do it also for a big part for fans and to see them happy and feel the respect and the synergy together.”
