Derek McInnes Criticizes Decision to Exclude Away Fans from Celtic vs Rangers Fixtures

Derek McInnes has branded the decision to shut out away supporters from Celtic v Rangers league fixtures for the rest of the season as a blow to derby football, insisting the game is always better with rival fans in the ground.

The Kilmarnock manager was speaking after the SPFL confirmed there will be no away allocations for Premiership meetings between the Glasgow giants this season, a move that follows the ugly flashpoints at Ibrox after a Scottish Cup tie between the clubs last term.

Rangers had pushed for a reduced away allocation for next weekend’s Premier Sports Cup tie at Ibrox, but Celtic rejected the proposal. Talks with league officials then led to the agreement that all SPFL fixtures between the sides this campaign will be played in front of home support only.

McInnes learned of the development in real time.

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

He stopped short of speaking on behalf of his own club, making it clear Kilmarnock would set out their stance in due course.

“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,” he added.

What he did make plain was his belief that derby matches lose something vital when one side’s fans are locked out.

“It's always better when the opposition fans are allowed into a derby game,” McInnes said. “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 Old Firm cauldron will still boil. It always does. But this season, one half of Glasgow will be watching it from the sofa.