Rangers Accept Reduced Celtic Ticket Allocation After SPFL Backs Ban on Union Bears

Key facts

• Celtic offered Rangers approximately 2,400 tickets for the 10 May Scottish Premiership fixture.
• Celtic's offer was conditional on none of the seats being made available to the Union Bears ultras group.
• Rangers referred the matter to the SPFL board after refusing the terms.
• An SPFL sub-committee declined to overrule Celtic's risk assessment.
• The Union Bears voluntarily stated they do not wish to be included in Rangers' ticket allocation.
• Rangers will accept the allocation, calling the match 'a defining match at a crucial stage of the season'.
• The Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March saw disorder after Celtic won on penalties.
• The Union Bears condemned the ban as 'a direct attack on fan culture'.

Rangers Accept Reduced Allocation Amid Ticket Dispute

Rangers have agreed to accept their reduced away allocation for the final Old Firm meeting of the season, but the club has expressed deep disappointment that the Scottish Professional Football League backed Celtic in the ticket row, warning it sets a concerning precedent. The decision ends weeks of wrangling over the number of Rangers supporters who will attend the 10 May Scottish Premiership fixture at Celtic Park. Celtic offered approximately 2,400 tickets on the condition that none be made available to the Union Bears, the club's ultras group. Rangers initially refused the terms and referred the matter to the SPFL board. A sub-committee concluded it would not overrule a risk assessment carried out by Celtic, which blamed the Union Bears for part of the disorder that followed the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox in March, a match Celtic won on penalties.

Union Bears Voluntarily Step Aside

In a statement, Rangers confirmed that the Union Bears 'volunteered that they do not wish to be included within the club's ticket allocation for this fixture.' The group later issued its own statement strongly condemning the ban as 'a direct attack on fan culture' and warning it sets a dangerous precedent for Scottish football. Despite the ban, the Union Bears urged Rangers to accept the conditions to ensure a full allocation, stressing that 'it is essential that a fully unified Rangers support is present at the fixture.' They added: 'Now more than ever, it is vital that the Rangers support stands united.' The group framed the decision as evidence of fear from clubs and authorities of the positive impact of the Rangers support, and vowed to continue unwavering backing for the team.

SPFL Sub-Committee Upholds Celtic's Risk Assessment

The SPFL formed a sub-committee to adjudicate the dispute after Rangers rejected Celtic's conditional offer. The sub-committee ruled in favour of Celtic, declining to overrule the risk assessment that identified the Union Bears as partly responsible for the March disorder. Rangers criticised the decision, stating it 'sets a concerning precedent with potentially lasting consequences for the league and match-going fans, cutting across the spirit of the competition and disregarding the established agreement on away allocations between clubs.' The Ibrox club added that its supporters and reputation will continue to be defended robustly while the Scottish FA's independent process regarding the events of 8 March runs its course.

Background of Away Allocations and Recent Disorder

The Scottish Cup quarter-final was the fourth meeting of the sides this season at either Celtic Park or Ibrox to feature away supporters, following a period of no away allocations. However, the cup tie had a higher proportion of away fans — 15% — because of the rules of that competition. The disorder after the March match, which Celtic won on penalties, prompted Celtic to seek assurances from Rangers regarding the refusal of tickets to the Union Bears. The home club claimed the ultras group was in part responsible for the trouble. Rangers have now confirmed they will take up the allocation available to them, describing the 10 May fixture as 'a defining match at a crucial stage of the season' where it is important that Rangers supporters are present to back their team.

Wider Implications for Scottish Football

Rangers' statement warned that the SPFL's stance could have lasting consequences for the league and match-going fans. The club argued it undermines the spirit of the competition and disregards the established agreement on away allocations between clubs. The Union Bears echoed this sentiment, saying the ban sets a dangerous precedent not only for Rangers but across Scottish football. They accused authorities of fearing the positive impact of the Rangers support. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between clubs and fan groups, and raises questions about how risk assessments are applied and whether they can be used to exclude specific supporter groups from fixtures.

What Comes Next

With the allocation accepted, Rangers supporters — excluding the Union Bears — will be present at Celtic Park on 10 May. The match could be decisive in the Scottish Premiership title race, adding to the stakes. Meanwhile, the Scottish FA's independent process regarding the March disorder continues. Rangers have vowed to defend their club, supporters, and reputation robustly throughout that process. The Union Bears have called for unity among the Rangers support, urging fans to ensure unwavering backing for the team from the stands continues. The group's exclusion from the fixture may fuel further debate about fan culture and safety at Scottish football matches.

The bottom line

• Rangers will accept around 2,400 tickets for the 10 May Old Firm derby after the SPFL backed Celtic's ban on the Union Bears.
• The Union Bears voluntarily excluded themselves from the allocation but condemned the ban as an attack on fan culture.
• An SPFL sub-committee upheld Celtic's risk assessment linking the Union Bears to disorder at the March Scottish Cup quarter-final.
• Rangers warned the decision sets a concerning precedent with potentially lasting consequences for Scottish football.
• The Scottish FA's independent investigation into the March events is ongoing.
• The 10 May fixture is a defining match in the Premiership title race, heightening the importance of supporter presence.