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No away fans, Euro calamities & derby debuts
Developing
In Short: The Old Firm derby takes center stage with Rangers' new manager Derek McInnes and the absence of away fans from Ibrox.
The match also marks Rangers' first Old Firm derby under new manager Derek McInnes, who takes over from Mark Warburton. McInnes, known for his tactical acumen, will aim to make an immediate impact in his first derby as a manager.
A key factor in this match is the ban on away fans at Ibrox, stemming from the disorder during last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final. The incident, which saw Rangers fans storm the pitch to confront Celtic supporters, led to the ban, affecting the atmosphere and dynamics of the match.
In March, about 8,000 visiting fans were allowed into Ibrox to witness Celtic's penalty shootout win, a stark contrast to the current situation. This year, no away fans are permitted, adding a new layer of tension to the derby.
The derby is always a significant event, but for Rangers, it has been a different story domestically. An independent review found that 'crushing' and 'life-threatening violence' were narrowly avoided during the Scottish Cup match, highlighting the potential for chaos and the importance of maintaining order.
What's still developing
- Previewing Sunday's derby encounter, Celtic great Scott Brown explained the importance of a fast start in this fixture.
Sources
- BBClink