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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Brendan Rodgers insists Rangers away allocation saga 'wasn't a Celtic thing'

Brendan Rodgers is hopeful the return of away supporters for matches between Celtic and Rangers is just a starting point.

The Glasgow rivals reached an agreement for four percent of the stadium capacity - at Ibrox and Celtic Park - to be handed over for away fans.

Rangers will be backed by a travelling support in the next meeting between the clubs at Parkhead next month.

But Rodgers is keen to see the away allocations continue to grow and return to traditional larger away sections at both stadia.

"Yeah. I think everyone is [happy to see that back]," said the Celtic manager.

"It's a big part of the fixture. Having been involved in it both with the supporters there, both home and away, and then obviously them being taken away, it does make a difference.

"I think it is great for everyone. Great for the game, great for the spectacle of the game and obviously for the supporters getting the chance to see their team, which is great."


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"We just have to get the supporters back in the stadium again," he added. "That was the start point and then hopefully it can get somewhere near to what it was before, because that always created an amazing atmosphere."

Downplaying his own involvement in resolving the away fan lockout, Rodgers insisted the issue was "out of our [Celtic's] control" as he hailed Michael Nicholson and behind the scenes staff for finding a solution.

"This is all the club, the club have dealt with it really well," he said.

"Like I always said before, this wasn't a Celtic thing, this was something that sadly was out of our control at the beginning of it all.

"Thankfully now both clubs have come together. It has been Michael and the people behind the scenes who have dealt with it.

"It's great for all of us involved in the game."

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