Rangers will demand that Celtic honour their League obligation to provide tickets for the second Old Firm fixture of the campaign – even if the Parkhead board turn down briefs for the Ibrox clash in September.
Celtic are set to reject the chance to take around 700 seats for the first derby showdown of the season following talks with fan groups in recent days.
The Hoops have expressed concerns over safety and access arrangements for the Ibrox fixtures but Rangers have repeatedly made similar points in their discussions with their Glasgow counterparts.
Talks between the clubs are ongoing regarding the match on Sunday, September 3 that will see Brendan Rodgers travel across the city for the first time since he succeeded Ange Postecoglou as boss.
But it appears likely that Michael Beale’s side will have the backing of every supporter in the stadium as Celtic prepare to turn down the allocation of tickets in the corner of the Sandy Jardine Stand and Broomloan Stand.
Chief executive James Bisgrove addressed the issue of Old Firm allocations at a fan forum event earlier this summer and hinted that the number of tickets given to Celtic would not increase any time soon.
Bisgrove said: “We’ve now sold out our season tickets again for next season which is phenomenal — 45,000.
“The away allocation opportunity for next season is in the corner of the Govan West stand, which means the maximum we can do is 700-800.
“But that’s subject to what the rest of the stakeholders bring to that conversation and we’ll see where it goes thereafter.”
The final two Old Firm ties last term were played in front of home fans only after both clubs agreed that was the right way forward whilst high-level talks were held in an attempt to find a workable solution.
But the start of the new campaign is seen as a fresh start by the Ibrox hierarchy and Rangers will offer an olive branch across the derby divide by allowing several hundred away fans to take their seats for the showpiece fixture in the Scottish game.
And Gers chiefs will then expect that the offer is reciprocated – as per SPFL rules and regulations - for the corresponding meeting at Parkhead that is currently scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 30.
Celtic are also in line to head to Ibrox in April, while the fourth and final Old Firm showdown will be staged at Parkhead after the top flight split.
