In response to the announcement that Rangers and Celtic will be permitted to bring away fans to their Old Firm derbies in 2024–2025, Philippe Clement has responded.
The SPFL announced on Friday, March 29th, via its website that each of the Glasgow teams will get a five percent allotment for away games during the upcoming Old Firm season.
The teams had already played twice this season, with the Hoops emerging victorious in both games in the Scottish Premiership. Although there were no away fans present, they will be permitted to return the next season.
Clement responded to the news in a press conference on Friday, March 29, as stated by Sky Sports: “Everyone enjoys football with two sides of fans singing against each other. Nobody relished the Covid era when there were no fans—it was incredibly challenging.
It was somewhat unusual for me as well to play at Celtic Park without our fans. It was an unusual event for me, a first. I believe that everyone wants to see both teams in the stadium, including the managers and players.
Next season, Rangers and Celtics supporters are expected to clash once more.
The game of football is for the fans. However, the atmosphere at Old Firm games has definitely deteriorated without away supporters recently.
The idea of an away game, whether it’s Rangers visiting Celtic Park or Celtics traveling to Ibrox, will have supporters jumping for delight.
But first, with just one point separating the two at the top of the table, the rivals are engaged in a thrilling battle for the Scottish Premiership title.
Michael Beale’s tenure at Ibrox seemed to have destroyed any chance of the squad winning their second league title in the previous ten years, but Clement has been instrumental in picking up the pieces and leading the team to victory.
Rangers will be confident that they can defeat their opponents for the Scottish Premiership title after already winning the League Cup and giving it their all on the field in a close Europa League loss to Benfica. This might lead to some very intriguing reactions the following season.
