Rangers limit Celtic allocation to 300 tickets for League Cup quarter-final

Rangers have confirmed that Celtic will receive 300 tickets for the League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on September 13. BBC Sport reported the reduced allocation after Rangers set out safety and security concerns linked to disorder at the clubs' previous cup meeting.

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About 8,000 Celtic supporters attended the Scottish Cup match at Ibrox on March 8, a fixture that was marred by crowd trouble. The Scottish Football Association announced on Friday that both clubs must play their next home Scottish Cup matches behind closed doors as a consequence of the disorder.

Rangers said their planning for the League Cup tie had been informed by the events of March 8, the subsequent Blackbourne Report and the sanction imposed on the club. In a statement reported by the BBC, Rangers said a smaller allocation would allow tighter ticket-holder accountability, stronger entry controls, increased segregation and additional safeguards.

The Ibrox club also cited later pitch invasions involving Celtic supporters and said preventing another incursion was part of its risk assessment. Rangers described matchday safety as its priority and said it remained concerned about the possibility of further disorder. The club's position reflects its own assessment of the risk; Celtic's response to the final 300-ticket allocation was not included in the BBC report.

Rangers said they had held discussions with Celtic after the cup draw and had proposed measures intended to produce a longer-term arrangement. According to the Rangers statement, Celtic replied eight days later, but Rangers did not believe that response adequately addressed its concerns about accountability and deterrence. Rangers added that it was willing to work with clubs, authorities and other stakeholders on safety at future fixtures.

The clubs are also scheduled to meet in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on September 20, one week after the League Cup quarter-final. Ticket arrangements for that league game have not yet been confirmed. Travelling supporters returned to league meetings between Rangers and Celtic in 2025 after a period in which no away fans attended those fixtures.