Rangers are said to be privately seething after the SPFL backed Celtic’s position in the ongoing away-ticket dispute.
That’s the claim from Hugh Keevins, who says there’s real frustration behind the scenes at Ibrox — even if it hasn’t been aired publicly. According to him, both clubs had already agreed they wouldn’t appeal whatever decision the SPFL’s sub-committee reached, leaving Rangers with no route to challenge the outcome.
The row goes back to Celtic’s decision last month to withhold the 2,200 tickets Rangers were due for the final derby of the season at Celtic Park.
That move came after the chaotic scenes at Ibrox following Celtic’s Scottish Cup win, when members of the Union Bears ran onto the pitch toward the Broomloan Stand, clashing with stewards and police. A Celtic staff member was also allegedly assaulted during the disorder.
In response, Celtic insisted that tickets should not be distributed to that ultras group. Rangers refused to give that guarantee — and the entire allocation was pulled.
The dispute was then taken to the SPFL, but the league’s sub-committee chose not to intervene. Instead, they backed the principle that the home club has the final say on safety and security matters.
Keevins believes that decision hasn’t gone down well inside Ibrox, particularly given what he sees as inconsistency in how similar situations have been handled.
“I am told privately that Rangers are not happy at all with the adjudication, and their problem is that they cannot appeal the decision,” he said.
“That was agreed from the outset, when the sub committee made their decision neither Celtic or Rangers could appeal against it.
“Well, Celtic have no need for an appeal, because it’s basically what Celtic wanted.
“I am awaiting Rangers statement to see where they stand on this and if they might very well say they won’t take any tickets at all.
“I don’t think they will do that because they will want Rangers fans in there, because the game could have massive implications on the title race.
“But, I think they are upset because there is an element of double standards about this. Celtic have had problems with their ultras – the Green Brigade – but they sold them tickets for Ibrox for the last game while they are banned from Celtic Park.”
For now, Rangers are left weighing their next move. Publicly, there’s been no official response yet, but behind closed doors, the mood is anything but calm.