Parkhead chiefs are pushing to reclaim the entire Broomloan Stand for next month’s blockbuster Scottish Cup quarter-final
Empty seats at Celtic Park(Image: SNS Group)
Boycotting Celtic fans should be at the bottom of the list for Scottish Cup tickets at Ibrox.
That’s the view of Tam McManus, who has called for the waiting list pecking order to be reshuffled. Thousands of Hoops punters stayed at home in protest against the board on Saturday night as Celts sneaked into the quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 fightback against Dundee.
Martin O’Neill’s side were seconds away from being eliminated before new Bhoy Junior Adamu netted a dramatic equaliser with the final kick of the ball – forcing the tie into extra-time.
Assist-maker Sebastian Tounekti then turned goalscorer as he fired home the winner to set up a blockbuster last-eight showdown with Rangers.
There’s now soaring demand for tickets, with Parkhead chiefs pushing to reclaim the entire Broomloan Stand – which would see the return of the traditional 7,000 Old Firm allocation.
Scottish Cup rules give away teams the “right to claim admission for its supporters of up to 20% of the spectator capacity.” Celtic want to paint the Broomloan green-and-white for the first time since 2018, when Gers cut the long-standing away ticket agreement.
But after only 24,120 fans turned up for the nervy win over Dundee, ex-Hibs star McManus believes the ticket ballot for the March 7/8 Govan showdown should be drawn between those who ditched the protest.
Speaking on PLZ, McManus said tongue in cheek: “I’m looking forward to seeing that stand full. If they stick to their word, they will all boycott it and there will maybe be a thousand there!
“It’ll be interesting to see how many turn up seeing as they are not going to the game now.
“Everybody who was at the game the other night against Dundee should be first in line for tickets – the hardcore!”
Former Scotland star Alan Rough chimed in: “I think the people who are protesting now will feel a bit sorry for themselves if the club decide to give the tickets elsewhere.”
While Celtic could technically request around 11,000 briefs in line with Scottish Cup rules, ex-Rangers hero Alex Rae insisted that would be a non-starter.
He said: “They’ll get the Broomloan. I think it becomes a segregation issue then.”