- Alan Hutton and Michael Stewart were speaking to Premier Sports TV
- Rangers referred Celtic to SPFL Board in backlash over ticket allocation
- Decision on whether Rangers fans will be allowed into Celtic Park is imminent
Alan Hutton and Michael Stewart have offered their thoughts on the Celtic-Rangers ticket row as a decision looms.
Celtic announced in a statement that they were not offering Rangers tickets for the final Old Firm derby at Parkhead on 10 May if allocation was given to members of the Union Bears.
In response, Rangers issued a furious rebuttal and revealed they had referred Celtic to the SPFL Board stating that “the removal of away supporters from one of the defining fixtures of the competition would introduce a clear and material sporting imbalance.”
There has been a lot of reaction in Scottish football to the development with Hutton and Stewart the latest to comment.
Hutton and Stewart both agree that away fans should be present
Responding to the debacle, Hutton mentioned the scenes in the aftermath of the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox but made clear his feelings that “if the number is right, then they should be allowed in to support their team.”
Stewart commented that he understands the concern from Celtic’s point of view but that it would be “much better if there could be a route to have away fans at the ground.”
The pundits are both on the same page when it comes to the idea that Rangers should have away support at Celtic Park next Sunday.
But also that the scenes witnessed at the recent match between the clubs cannot happen again.
Read Rangers Analysis
This will not be the last time that we hear reactions to the row that has erupted between Celtic and Rangers with a decision from the SPFL sub-committee expected imminently.
Regardless of what decision is made, it will only further the debate within Scottish football on this issue.
For all we know, away games may never be the same again.
Time will tell.
