Rangers legend Graeme Souness has spoken some sense about the current situation that will see away fans kept out of Old Firm games this season.
It was decided between Celtic and Rangers, along with league authorities and the Scottish FA, that no away fans will be allowed into Old Firm fixtures this season after the trouble that was seen at last season's Scottish Cup tie.
Some Celtic fans invaded the pitch in celebration, and after they were ushered back into the stand, a sea of Rangers fans entered the pitch from their ends and marched towards the away end, leading to a dangerous situation.
But a better solution should be found than banning all away fans, and that's something Souness has echoed.
“Having no supporters in the stadium will diminish this game. It would diminish any game, but this game especially,” the Gers hero told The Scottish Sun.
“I hope it’s a short-term thing because the Old Firm (sic) is such a spectacle. There’s no bigger or more hostile atmosphere than an Old Firm (sic) game if you’re not at your home stadium.
“It won’t be the same game. It will still be as important to the players and when you’re the manager, you’re very much aware of what it means to your supporters. Football’s not the same without the support."
Souness added: “I was there when the supporters invaded the pitch and my first thought was, ‘This is getting watched throughout the world. What message is this sending about Scottish football?’
“I was so disappointed because it should be a showpiece game. It should be extremely competitive with passionate fans on both sides. But it was ruined and that image went everywhere in minutes.”
As a punishment, both teams will have to play without any supporters at all in their next Scottish Cup games, and while the away fan ban for Old Firm games was not mandated, it is a consequence of the actions of fans that day.
Of course, there have been plenty of arguments from both sides over who was to blame and who created the most danger, but the bottom line is, anyone who left their seat entered the pitch that day, be it a Celtic or Rangers fan, has ruined the Old Firm experience for well-behaved fans this season.
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