The number of away fans that will be present for Celtic's Scottish Cup tie against Rangers at Ibrox has seemingly been confirmed by Julian Aurajo.
Speaking about the team reaction to the draw in training, Aurajo said:
"Coming into the training ground today, they spoke about the Scottish Cup draw, playing at Ibrox.
think we have a capacity of 8,000. They said it’s going to be one of the best atmospheres, so I am excited for it all."
An allocation of around 8,000 would see Hoops fans fill out the Broomloan Stand for the first time since 2018. Fans have long dreamed of away fan numbers increasing to this level again, but we were honestly starting to think that we'd never see the day.
Hopes are even higher when a Police Scotland spokesperson said:
"Ticket allocation is a matter for the clubs and football authorities. A proportionate policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety and minimise disruption ahead of the fixture at Ibrox in March 2026."
This means that the police will have no say in the matter, which will please supporters.
There was some doubt over whether this many tickets would be granted, as we haven't seen an allocation this big in such a long time, but even Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has called on Rangers to do the right thing.
He said:
"I think [Celtic getting a full allocation] would be lovely. I've talked to a lot of people down south in my time living down there, and they think exactly the same. It would be fantastic to get back.
I don't know the club stance, but if you take me out of the club at this minute, just being a Celtic supporter, I would want all the tickets we can get - the allocation that's available to us under the rules.
I assume that would be forthcoming. I thought the Old Firm fixture lost a little bit because the full allocation wasn't given, for whatever reason. I don't know historically what it was. I've got kind of an idea, but it doesn't really matter.
That did lose a little bit of one of the great fixtures in European football, if not the world. But at least there are some fans coming back, and it makes a bit of a difference.
To get the full allocation as we did, going to Ibrox and having the side to the left full of Celtic fans, was always gratifying."
Exciting time for the Hoops
With the Celts about to go into an intense part of the season, it's a really exciting time to be a Hoops fan.
We're going to be seeing players come in, such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who will improve the side massively, and hopes are still alive of a potential European trophy.
Playing Rangers twice in seven days away from home can be scary, but with the promise of a bumper number of Celtic fans, it's going to be a brilliant atmosphere. With the Hoops in good form under O'Neill, a victory could be on the cards.