Derek McInnes on Locking Out Away Fans in Celtic v Rangers Matches

Derek McInnes has branded the decision to lock out away fans from Celtic v Rangers league fixtures for the rest of the season “disappointing”, insisting derbies are “always better” with both sets of supporters inside the ground.

The call follows the ugly flashpoints at Ibrox last season after a Scottish Cup tie between the clubs. With tensions still raw, Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation for Celtic fans ahead of next weekend’s Premier Sports Cup clash at Ibrox. Celtic knocked that back.

Talks with the SPFL then pushed the situation to its stark conclusion: no away supporters at any SPFL meetings between Celtic and Rangers for the remainder of the campaign.

McInnes, speaking at his Friday press conference, had just seen the development scroll across a television screen.

“I noticed the news on the Sky ticker tape there,” he said. “First reaction is that it is disappointing that it has been made.

“Without commenting too much because I don't know the club's position on it at the moment, I think it is more appropriate that the club speaks on it.

“But it's always better when the opposition fans are allowed into a derby game.

“But whether that can be... there has still got to be behaviours met and obviously the decision has been made.

“I don't know, I haven't spoken to anyone at the club regarding that so I can't really comment any more than that.”

The spectacle of the Old Firm has long fed off the noise from both ends. This season, the noise will be one-sided – by design, not by rivalry.