Rangers confirmed an allocation of 300 tickets for Celtic supporters for the teams’ League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox next month, a decision that drew criticism from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. The restricted allocation came hours after the Scottish FA announced both clubs would be required to play their next Scottish Cup home matches without spectators.
The sanctions were imposed following crowd disorder during last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, which Celtic won on penalties. That match had featured approximately 8,000 visiting supporters, substantially more than the typical allocation for regular Premiership contests between the rivals, due to different ticketing rules governing Scottish Cup competitions.
O’Neill stated that such a limited number of away supporters diminishes the spectacle of the fixture and that he would rather Celtic decline the allocation entirely. He characterized the upcoming match as one of football’s great contests and emphasized the importance of visiting fans in creating an authentic atmosphere, noting the fixture’s recognition throughout Europe and beyond.
On the field, Celtic secured a 2-1 Premiership victory over Falkirk, with Camilo Duran scoring twice and Colby Donovan contributing an own goal. The performance came amid criticism following the club’s recent Champions League play-off elimination to LASK, though O’Neill expressed satisfaction with the crowd’s supportive response and midfielder Luke McCowan’s contribution off the bench.
O’Neill indicated his intention to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline, citing needs in depth across multiple positions. Particular concern centered on left-back availability, with Kieran Tierney sustaining another injury during the Falkirk match, and midfielder resources following player departures to other clubs.
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