Simon Jordan destroys Rangers and Celtic in ‘appalling’ Old Firm rant

The talkSPORT host questioned who really runs Scottish football as the Old Firm clubs have been allowed to dictate their own away allocations despite SPFL rules.

He went on to criticise both clubs for “behaving like children”, and said the new offer of an away allocation of just 750 fans is not good enough in 60,000-seater stadiums.

“I don’t think, in 50/60,000 stadiums, situated within miles of one another, that 750 fans… I don’t think 750, which is about 1% of the stadium, is representative of the support.

“This is another indication of how Scottish football doesn’t run itself the way it should do. Its leadership at the top should be saying to Celtic and Rangers ‘We’re not asking you, we’re telling you. And if you do not deal with this issue then we’re going to start looking at sanctioning you.’

“These are the biggest games in Scottish football. These are the games that demark what Scottish football represents. It’s appalling. It’s an appalling look, it’s appalling management, and it’s appalling that they’ve been able to behave like children for this period. It’s a terrible endorsement of what Scottish football should be.”

The debate has raged on for far too long and it’s the fans who have suffered as a result. Not having away fans at Parkhead or Ibrox has, of course, resulted in lesser atmospheres in a game which always thrived off the passion from the stands which is now lacking.

The weakness of the SPFL to let the two Old Firm clubs dominate the ruling rather than stamping their authority and forcing them to come to a decision is indicative of their lack of leadership shown across all Old Firm debates in recent seasons.

While an away allocation of 750 fans represents progress being made, which can be looked upon as a positive and a step forward in the talks, it is still a pathetic offer which pales in comparison to the days of 8,000-fan away ends.

The sooner the clubs and the SPFL can get their heads together and come to an agreement the better, with their petty squabble ruining what should be the showpiece of Scottish football. Instead, it’s been allowed to go on for far too long.

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