Brendan Rodgers has vehemently defended Celtic’s decision to bar Rangers fans from attending the upcoming Old Firm derby at Parkhead, pointing the finger of blame squarely at Rangers and insisting that the club’s actions were necessary to protect the safety and interests of their own supporters.
The controversy erupted when Celtic, after completing significant safety works to ensure the well-being of away fans, were left without any assurances from Rangers that similar measures would be in place at Ibrox for the return fixture. As a result, Celtic made the difficult decision to withdraw the allocation for Rangers fans, reverting to a home fans-only policy for the derby.
In a passionate statement, Rodgers stressed that Celtic had fulfilled their obligations under the agreement by investing time and resources into making their stadium safe for all supporters. However, he emphasized that Rangers had failed to uphold their end of the bargain, leaving Celtic with no choice but to prioritize the safety and well-being of their own fans.
“This is not a Celtic-Rangers issue,” Rodgers declared. “This is a Rangers issue. When this agreement was made, both parties had responsibilities to ensure the safety of all supporters. Unfortunately, that agreement has not been upheld by Rangers, and Celtic must now defend the interests of our supporters and our club.”
Rodgers expressed his disappointment that both Celtic and Rangers supporters will be deprived of the opportunity to attend the upcoming matches, but he remained hopeful that a resolution could be reached to allow for the safe and fair attendance of all fans in the future.
As the debate continues to rage on, Rodgers called for transparency, accountability, and collaboration between both clubs to ensure that such disputes do not arise again. Ultimately, he reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all supporters, regardless of their allegiance, in the spirit of fair play and mutual respect.
