There’s no getting away from it — when away supporters run on to the pitch it’s a lesson in why we shouldn’t go back to the old full allocations. It isn’t just noisy celebration; it’s provocative, dangerous and it drags the occasion down for everyone at Ibrox.

Look, we’re not talking occasional exuberance. The sort of things people mention — scarves on goalposts, messing with corner flags, diving over advertising boards and storming the turf — that’s organised antagonism more than passion. You can’t pretend it’s the same as a bit of harmless chanting. When turnstiles are breached at the start and people end up on the grass at the final whistle, the risk to players, stewards and police skyrockets. Who wants that on their conscience?

There’s also the double standard that winds folk up. Remember when Hibs ran on the pitch years ago and it was written off as overexuberance? Fans felt that was treated differently to when supporters of the Old Firm do the same. Fair or not, perception matters. If Celtic supporters are allowed behaviour that tips into intimidation or endangers people, it makes sense to ask for stricter measures at away ends — smaller allocations, tighter stewarding, whatever keeps everyone safer.

It’s not about shutting supporters out for the sake of it. It’s about protecting the atmosphere we want at Ibrox and making sure home fans — and players — can enjoy a game without having to worry about pitch invasions or antagonism from a visiting section. To be fair, policing at different grounds does change how celebrations feel; you see the difference at Parkhead and Ibrox. That contrast tells you something.

Today should be the moment authorities and clubs think again. Minimum allocations for trouble-prone away support is a sensible, pragmatic answer. Keep it safe, keep it respectful, and let football be football without the risk of things boiling over.

Written by RohlWithCheese: 31 March 2026

Tags: spfl