Rangers have confirmed they will provide Celtic with 300 tickets for the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on 13 September. The most recent meeting of the sides at Ibrox came in the Scottish Cup on 8 March and was marred by fan disorder. Earlier on Friday, the Scottish FA announced both clubs would have to play their next home Scottish Cup games behind closed doors.
About 8,000 Celtic supporters had attended the 8 March match while recent league encounters of the Glasgow clubs had away support in the low thousands. And Rangers said: "Since the clubs last considered away allocations, the Blackbourne Report has been published and our sanction issued. "Together with the events of 8 March and our assessment of the current risk, these developments have informed our planning for this fixture [on 13 September].
Matchday safety remains our top priority. "A reduced allocation allows greater individual ticket-holder accountability, stronger ingress controls, enhanced segregation and additional safeguards appropriate to the risk identified for this fixture. "Since 8 March, there have also been further pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters.
The Blackbourne Report demonstrated how quickly an initial incursion can escalate into wider disorder involving both sets of supporters. Preventing another pitch incursion is therefore an important part of reducing the risk of further disorder at this fixture." Stadium closures for Old Firm over fan disorder Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Rangers also said they had been in discussions with Celtic. "Following the recent cup draw, Rangers approached Celtic with proposals aimed at finding a sustainable way forward," the Ibrox club's statement added.
"Celtic responded eight days later and that response did not address our concerns around accountability and deterrence. Rangers has not seen the clear acknowledgement, condemnation or deterrent messaging we believe should follow events of that seriousness from Celtic. "Rangers have been left to manage the significant consequences of the damage caused on 8 March.
Our concern is whether enough has been done since then to demonstrate accountability and reduce the likelihood of the same behaviour being repeated. "We remain concerned that there is a material risk of recurrence. "We are willing to work constructively with all stakeholders and authorities involved in matchday safety for these fixtures.
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