Derek McInnes Disappointed by SPFL's Ban on Away Fans in Old Firm Matches

Derek McInnes has voiced his disappointment after it was confirmed there will be no away fans at any SPFL league fixtures between Celtic and Rangers for the rest of the season.

The decision follows the ugly flashpoints at Ibrox last term after a Scottish Cup tie between the Glasgow rivals, incidents that pushed tensions around the Old Firm atmosphere to a fresh peak.

In the build-up to next weekend’s Premier Sports Cup clash at Ibrox, Rangers proposed a reduced away allocation for Celtic supporters. Celtic rejected that offer. Talks with the SPFL then led to a more drastic outcome: a blanket ban on away fans for league meetings between the clubs for the remainder of the 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 issue themselves if and when required.

“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 added.

What he did make clear was his belief that derbies lose something vital when one half of the divide is locked out.

“But it's always better when the opposition fans are allowed into a derby game,” he said. “But whether that can be... there has still got to be behaviours met and obviously the decision has been made.

“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 supporters. The noise will still be ferocious, the stakes just as high. But the balance of the spectacle has shifted, and Scottish football now has to live with what that looks and sounds like.