Chris Sutton has blasted Rangers for the “shameful” Old Firm away fans shutout and insisted it will take the shine out of Saturday’s Premiership super showdown.
Michael Beale’s side will square up with the champions at Parkhead at the weekend looking to keep their slim title hopes alive. But there will be no Rangers supporters to roar on their side after the Glasgow clubs slammed the doors shut on away ends at both grounds amid safety concerns with the recently reduced allocations.
Celtic and Rangers allowed around 800 travelling punters into stadiums in recent seasons in the wake of Ibrox chiefs slashing the traditional 7500 capacity in the Broomloan Stand in Govan. Hoops bosses did likewise but after numerous incidents in both sides of the city, Celtic decided to refuse tickets for the post-split clash later this season and Gers did the same for Saturday. The sides are locked in a ticket war stalemate with Celtic wanting a return to the old numbers – but Rangers are unwilling to budge.
Hoops hero Sutton branded the move “petty and pathetic” as he reckons the stand-off is damaging the crown jewel in the Premiership fixture list. Speaking on the Record Sport Celtic Podcast, Sutty said: “I don’t like the fans’ situation at all. It’s rubbish for Scottish football. I think having no away fans is rubbish for the perception of Scottish football. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“When I first joined Celtic, going to Ibrox and having 7500 behind the goal and likewise when Rangers came to Celtic Park made it a far better spectacle. It’s shameful and a really bad look for Scottish football around the world.
“I just think it’s petty, and it’s something Rangers really need to sort out. I can’t see the upside over all this? What is the benefit of banning away fans from the fixture? This game is big around the world and the lockout is pathetic. I think if you asked both sets of supporters, they would say the same thing. It’s ridiculous and it diminishes the spectacle.”
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