Derek McInnes Disappointed by Away Fans Ban in Celtic v Rangers Matches

Derek McInnes has voiced his disappointment at the decision to shut out away fans from Celtic v Rangers league fixtures for the rest of the season, insisting derbies are “always better” with both sets of supporters inside the ground.

The move follows the ugly flashpoints at Ibrox last season after a Scottish Cup tie between the Glasgow rivals. Tensions around allocations have simmered since, and they boiled over again in the build-up to next weekend’s Premier Sports Cup clash at Ibrox.

Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation for Celtic fans for that tie. Celtic rejected it. Talks with the SPFL then led to a hard-line outcome: there will be no away supporters at any SPFL meetings between the clubs for the remainder of this campaign.

Speaking at his Friday press conference, Kilmarnock boss McInnes admitted he had only just seen the development flash up on television.

“I noticed the news on the Sky ticker tape there,” he said. “First reaction is that it is disappointing that it has been made.”

McInnes was careful not to stray into his own club’s stance, stressing that Kilmarnock would address the broader issue in their own time.

“Without commenting too much because I don't know the club's position on it at the moment, I think it is more appropriate that the club speaks on it,” he continued.

What he did make clear was his belief in what a derby should look and sound like.

“It's always better when the opposition fans are allowed into a derby game,” he said.

The caveat, as ever in Scottish football’s most combustible fixture, lies in how that passion is handled.

“But whether that can be... there has still got to be behaviours met and obviously the decision has been made,” McInnes added.

For now, he remains on the outside of the decision-making process.

“I don't know, I haven't spoken to anyone at the club regarding that so I can't really comment any more than that.”

The Old Firm will go on without away fans this league season. The noise will still be ferocious. The question is whether the fixture loses something more important than just a corner of colour.