Derek McInnes has sent a message to Rangers fans after a ban on away supporters from Old Firm clashes for the rest of the season.
No Celtic supporters will be present on Sunday after the SPFL confirmed an agreement had been met between Celtic and Rangers that no travelling fans would be permitted at any fixture between the Glasgow rivals.
Some 50,000 will be in attendance at Ibrox, as McInnes called on Rangers supporters to get on side during the contest.
He said: “I think we’ve got to bring the crowd with us.
“You’re not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We’ll have spells, they’ll have spells, it’s just the way it is.
“I think it’s important that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us and be behind the players, support them, have their backs, not be on their backs and really make it as tough for Celtic as possible.
“We’ve got our part to play in that, and I felt that if we can capitalise on good play and good opportunities, which we didn’t do last night [against St Mirren] and we didn’t do against Motherwell obviously, if we can get ourselves in front, give the crowd something to get behind, then I think the strength of our club can be shown.
“I think if the 50,000 can be utilised and we can have the strength of performance in the team that will help the team, it will be difficult to stop.”
Derek McInnes has sent a message to Rangers fans ahead of the Old Firm
|
GETTYMcInnes continued: “There’s been a lot of frustration over a period of time at the club, and it’s up to us to try and show that we’re going to deliver something a bit different.
“We recognise Celtic are a good team who have been the main title winners and the team that’s picked up more trophies than any other club in recent years.
“We just want to make sure that we give ourselves a chance to be relevant domestically again in terms of winning trophies, and Sunday gives us a chance to take a step towards that.”
The catalyst for no travelling supporters was the ugly scenes that unfolded after the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the sides at Ibrox in March.
McInnes said: ‘I think we’ve got to bring the crowd with us’
|
PASupporters from both clubs clashed on the pitch. An independent review was subsequently commissioned to examine the incident and its wider implications.
When discussions turned to ticketing for the new season, Rangers proposed allocating just 300 seats to visiting Celtic fans – a dramatic reduction from the customary 2,500.
Celtic refused to accept such a diminished allocation, leaving the matter unresolved between the clubs.
The SPFL was consequently compelled to step in and impose its own determination on the matter.
Away supporters have been banned after the Old Firm erupted into chaos in March
|
REUTERSIn a statement, the SPFL wrote: “This temporary arrangement will allow both clubs, together with the SPFL, Police Scotland and other relevant stakeholders, to give proper consideration to the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review, take forward the necessary actions and ensure sufficient time is available to plan future fixtures thoroughly.”
The league added that the arrangement would deliver “greater certainty for supporters and those involved in matchday planning”.
All parties pledged to work cooperatively throughout this period, with safety remaining paramount.
