Andy Walker has slammed Celtic & Rangers' decision to ditch away fans from the fixture as "pathetic and petty".
It was confirmed today that neither club will have away supporters in the other team's ground for the remaining two derby league fixtures.
Michael Beale’s side is due to make the trip across Glasgow on Saturday, April 8 for the third league meeting this term and no date has yet been set for the fourth fixture that will take place after the top-flight split.
But we can reveal that both of those clashes will be attended by home supporters only following discussions between the clubs in recent days.
The Old Firm showdowns have had limited travelling support for several seasons now and around 800 fans are housed at Ibrox and Parkhead as the away side finds themselves outnumbered off the park.
It has been agreed by both clubs that this was the best way forward and a joint decision has been reached that will once again dramatically change the sight and sound of derby day in Glasgow after issues at both stadia in recent campaigns.
And Andy Walker claims it's a sad day for Scottish football, while ex-Gers skipper Barry Ferguson branded the call a "joke".
READ MORE: Old Firm fan ban as Rangers and Celtic make away support call
Walker said on Go Radio's Football Show: "I think it's pathetic and petty. I think it diminishes Scottish football. We're trying to sell this great rivalry all around the world and we're just watering it down.
"I'm not surprised because we've seen some poor decision-making in Scottish football.
"I've got to say - me and Barry have played in it and I remember going to the game with my dad and my brothers and it was just 'wow, what is this?'
"To actually go some years later and play in it, it's the best atmosphere I ever played in and I can't believe we've got to the stage where you're getting absolutely no supporters in the away end.
"I think if you ask any away player they would much rather have substantial away support. I get that they'll take the party line and not say that but every player loves the edge that you get from a sizeable away support."
Ferguson added: "It's an absolute joke what's going on and as Andy said if you ask any Old Firm player past and present that's been involved with 8,000 away fans, every one of them would say what me and Andy have just said there.
"I think it's really sad that they can't bang their heads together and come up with a solution to get back to how it was."
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel