Old Firm Clash: O’Neill Prepares for Strange Atmosphere Without Away Fans

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill says this weekend’s Old Firm clash will feel “strange” without a single away supporter inside Ibrox – and he knows exactly what that means for his players.

The Scottish League Cup quarter-final on Sunday will be the first of this season’s derbies to be played under the new ban on away fans, brought in after talks between both clubs and the SPFL. The move follows an independent Scottish FA review into post-match disorder at last season’s Scottish Cup meeting.

No Celtic end. No Rangers section at Celtic Park next weekend either, when the sides meet in the league for the first time this campaign. Two of the most hostile fixtures in world football, stripped of their travelling support.

“It will be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area. I always felt that they gave us a crumb of comfort,” O’Neill admitted, looking ahead to a knockout tie that will be played in a wall of blue.

He knows exactly what his side are walking into.

“I think the crowd will obviously be right behind their team, and I would expect that to be reciprocated the following Sunday,” he said. “We know we are up against a very fine side and a crowd who can make a difference.

If we can get in front in the game, that will make the crowd anxious.”

That is the plan: silence Ibrox, then feed off the unease.

O’Neill juggles stars and schedule

O’Neill arrives at the tie on the back of a 1-0 win over St Johnstone, a result earned while he shuffled his pack. Camilo Durán, the standout performer of Celtic’s season so far, started on the bench.

“He has been so brilliant for us,” O’Neill said. “I thought that we could rest him for the game, then I was not sure that we could. I'm not sure that we're good enough to rest people in that sense.”

That line says plenty about where Celtic are: strong, but stretched by the demands of domestic and European football.

“Over the course of time we will have to make changes, particularly since we're playing European games,” he added, hinting that rotation will not be a luxury but a necessity as the season wears on.

There was at least one positive on the fitness front. Midfielder Mika Baur is back training normally after a minor knock, putting him in contention for the trip across the city.

Goalkeeping call looms large

If the absence of away fans shapes the mood, O’Neill’s biggest football decision may come 24 hours before kick-off.

New signing Sam Johnstone has arrived to push Viljami Sinisalo, and the manager has a genuine choice to make in goal. He is keeping his cards tight to his chest.

“I haven't made my mind up at all,” O’Neill insisted. “I thought Sam did very well, and we needed to get a look at what he could do. It's great to have the two of them. Sinisalo has done exceptionally well for us.”

Form against experience. Familiarity against a fresh voice at the back. In a tie that could turn on a single mistake, the selection on the teamsheet may say plenty about how O’Neill sees this stage of the season.

Ready for penalties in a silent corner

With no away section to roar them on, Celtic might have to hold their nerve in the most unforgiving of environments. This quarter-final can go all the way to penalties, and O’Neill has made sure his players at least know the routine.

“We cannot replicate the stadium and the crowd, but if you've not practiced, it can be a double whammy for you,” he said. “You might as well have a few shots and that's what we do at the end of our training sessions.”

No amount of practice can recreate the noise, the hostility, the silence after a miss. But Celtic will walk into Ibrox knowing the margins are clear: one game, no away fans, no second leg, and maybe a shootout to decide whether this season’s first Old Firm belongs to green or blue.