Keith Wyness gives blunt assessment of the SFA’s proposed ban on Celtic and Rangers fans.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness believes the Scottish FA made the correct decision by banning Celtic and Rangers away supporters from Old Firm matches this season following the disorder that occurred during their Scottish Cup meeting in March.

The former Everton executive, speaking to Football Insider, argued that the governing body had little alternative after supporters from both clubs became involved in serious incidents on the pitch. In his view, the decision was necessary because the Old Firm rivalry is already regarded as one of the most volatile fixtures in Scottish football.

The SPFL confirmed last week that away supporters would be excluded from all Old Firm encounters between Celtic and Rangers during the current Premiership campaign, as well as their Premier Sports Cup meetings.

Previously, both clubs had agreed to provide visiting supporters with an allocation equivalent to five per cent of the stadium capacity for SPFL fixtures at both Celtic Park and Ibrox.

That agreement changed after the events surrounding their Scottish Cup clash in March. Supporters from both sides entered the pitch after the match, prompting an independent review into what happened. The Scottish FA subsequently intervened and imposed a complete ban on away fans for this season’s meetings.

Rangers are scheduled to welcome Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, September 13, before the two rivals meet again at Celtic Park in a league fixture one week later.

Wyness believes action was unavoidable

Wyness, who was Everton chief executive between 2004 and 2009 and now operates a football consultancy advising major clubs, believes the scenes witnessed in March crossed a line.

The former executive described the behaviour as unacceptable and argued that meaningful sanctions were required to prevent incidents from happening again.

His comments come after former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider that Police Scotland had been prepared to prevent Celtic supporters from attending the upcoming cup fixture at Ibrox.

The Scottish FA ultimately went further by banning all away supporters from Old Firm matches. The ruling has frustrated fans of both clubs and has also disappointed Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and Rangers boss Derek McInnes.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that the sight of supporters entering the pitch was particularly concerning given the nature of the rivalry.

He argued that such behaviour could not be accepted during an Old Firm fixture because the atmosphere surrounding these matches is already highly charged.

According to Wyness, authorities needed to restore order and take steps designed to prevent a repeat of the March scenes. He therefore supported the decision to remove away supporters from the fixtures, despite the inevitable disappointment it would cause.

Managers unhappy with the ruling

Celtic will enter the upcoming cup meeting as favourites, but the absence of travelling Rangers supporters could influence the atmosphere and potentially provide the home side with an advantage.

The same situation will apply when the teams meet at Celtic Park in the league the following week. With Rangers supporters excluded, Celtic will have the benefit of a home crowd without an away allocation, although both managers have expressed their disappointment.

O’Neill admitted that he found the decision particularly sad from the perspective of an ordinary football supporter. He argued that an Old Firm match should ideally be played in front of a completely full stadium, with travelling fans contributing to the atmosphere and occasion.

The Celtic manager also reflected on previous Old Firm encounters from earlier in his career, recalling fixtures at the start of the century when away supporters played a major part in creating an electric atmosphere.

For O’Neill, removing visiting supporters takes something important away from a fixture that has traditionally been one of the biggest occasions in Scottish football.

McInnes similarly expressed disappointment over the ruling.

The Rangers manager acknowledged that there are standards of behaviour supporters must meet, but maintained that football matches are generally better when both sets of fans can attend and support their respective teams.

The Rangers boss accepted that the authorities had made their decision following the incidents that occurred, but his comments showed that he would have preferred a different solution.

Safety versus the traditional Old Firm atmosphere

The debate therefore continues between safety and tradition. Wyness believes the seriousness of the March disorder justified a firm response, while both Old Firm managers have highlighted the atmosphere and importance of having supporters from both clubs inside the stadium.

For now, the ban means this season’s meetings will look very different. The absence of travelling supporters is likely to change the atmosphere at both Ibrox and Celtic Park, while the Scottish FA will hope its decision helps prevent another outbreak of disorder.

With the first meeting approaching, attention will now focus on whether the restrictions can deliver the safer environment authorities are seeking without permanently changing the character of Scottish football’s biggest rivalry.