Hearts Legend John Robertson Weighs in on Glasgow Derby Away Allocation Debate

Legendary Hearts striker John Robertson thinks the old away allocations in Glasgow derbies were the key selling point of each match.

Before Rangers took the huff, Celtic fans were given the full Broomloan Road stand at Ibrox, and regularly created a raucous noise.

Similarly, when they came to Parkhead, Gers supporters were handed a sizeable chunk of the Lisbon Lions stand and the corner to the left of the Main Stand.

Because the Hoops kept winning too much in Govan, though, Rangers pulled the plug on the allocations.

There have been no away fans allowed at the past five league Glasgow derbies.

That was set to change at the beginning of this season, although the Royal Blues couldn’t guarantee the safety of Celtic fans at either Ibrox or Hampden for the New Year derby.

Things could yet change in March next year, and Robertson hopes they do because he thinks having a decent number of Travelling in the grounds adds so much to the fixture: “It’s one of my biggest bug-bears,” he said (The Warm-Up).

“For years, the big selling point in Scottish Football was the [Glasgow] derby Games.

“In the stadium, to see a full stand of Celtic fans behind the goal [at Ibrox] is a fabulous sight, and the racket they make, for the players, is great.

“And the same when you go to Parkhead, and you see the Rangers fans in that corner.

“That’s what it’s about.”

It’s a shame Rangers couldn’t handle Celtic fans continually celebrating at Ibrox and resulantly cut their allocation.

Robertson is spot on in his comments that the away fans add so much to derby days, but because of the Govan team’s stubbornness, we might never see the return of the old  allocations.