Martin O’Neill slams Rangers’ Celtic ticket offer with blunt response

Martin O’Neill blasts Rangers’ Celtic ticket offer and says ‘we might as well get none’

Martin O’Neill has hit back at Rangers over Celtic’s ticket allocation for next month’s Old Firm League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, suggesting the Hoops would be better off rejecting the offer altogether.

Celtic have been handed just 300 tickets for the September 13 clash following the disorder surrounding the Scottish Cup last season. Both clubs are facing stadium closures for their opening home matches in the competition, while their opponents will also receive £100,000.

Celtic are now expected to mirror Rangers’ reduced allocation when the two sides meet at Parkhead in the Premiership a week later.

O’Neill believes the drastic reduction in away support takes away from the spectacle of one of football’s biggest rivalries.

“We might as well not get any, if that’s the case,” the Celtic boss said.

“Taking off the Celtic manager’s hat and just looking at it from a viewpoint, it’s one of the great fixtures.

“Even if the teams are not of the standard of, let’s say, Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, it is still a fantastic fixture. You honestly don’t realise how big it is in European games and in the world.”

O’Neill argued that the atmosphere suffers significantly when away supporters are absent, recalling a previous Old Firm match where Rangers scored at Celtic Park but the goal was met by near silence because of the lack of travelling fans.

“The best atmosphere is when the away fans have their allocation,” he added.

“That’s been my point the whole way. I thought from a distance, watching games when it was away, that it lost something.”

The Celtic manager accepted that the authorities may have little choice if disciplinary measures are required, but believes the consequences are damaging one of football’s most iconic fixtures.

“If these are the things that are happening because of it, if we’re both having to play behind closed doors for the next game if we’re at home, well, I don’t know. I’m not contesting that,” O’Neill said.

“But overall, it’s, from a distance, a shame because it’s a phenomenal fixture.”

Reflecting on the intensity of previous Old Firm encounters, O’Neill recalled watching Celtic trail 2-0 at Ibrox and described the atmosphere as something he had rarely experienced.

“Just to be participating in that game gives you goosebumps,” he said.

However, O’Neill made his position clear when asked about Celtic receiving only 300 tickets.

“So obviously, if they’re going to give us 300 tickets, I would rather say no – and we’ll give them one.”

Celtic provide injury updates ahead of Aberdeen

O’Neill is also hoping to welcome back Callum McGregor and Kasper Høgh for Wednesday’s Premiership meeting with Aberdeen.

McGregor missed the Falkirk victory after falling ill, while Høgh is recovering from an adductor problem sustained during Celtic’s Champions League collapse against LASK.

O’Neill revealed that McGregor’s illness was serious enough to keep him away from training.

“McGregor must be really ill because he would normally not miss a training session,” he explained.

“I spoke to him very, very briefly on Friday and he was still recovering. I’m hoping in a couple of days he’ll be back.”

Høgh’s situation is being monitored closely, particularly with Celtic facing a congested schedule.

“Høgh has got an adductor thing at this minute. This was the first of seven games in 21, 22 days,” O’Neill said.

“So it’s a matter of just keeping an eye on him. I’m hoping he’ll be fit for Wednesday. I’m really not sure, but I’m hoping he will be.”

There are also concerns over Kieran Tierney, who appeared to be suffering from cramp but could have a similar issue to Høgh.

“I need to find out from the medical staff how that is,” O’Neill added.

Celtic continue transfer work

With the transfer window closing on Thursday and the Europa League registration deadline arriving 24 hours earlier, O’Neill is still looking to strengthen his squad.

Celtic remain interested in PSV midfielder Joel van den Berg, with the 19-year-old reportedly keen on a move to Glasgow.

Hajduk Split midfielder Niko Sigur and Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo are also understood to be on Celtic’s radar.

Asked about the club’s chances of completing more business before the deadline, O’Neill simply said: “We’re hopeful.”