Hampden will host its final Euro 2020 fixture tomorrow as Sweden face the Ukraine in Glasgow – and Rangers and Celtic should be using the four Euro 2020 games at Scotland’s national stadium to demand an increased capacity at Ibrox at Celtic Park when the new season gets underway.
As things stand, both sides will be limited to 2000 fans when they get underway – despite Hampden having been given approval to host 12000 for the four Euro 2020 games in Glasgow.
After National Clinical Director Jason Leitch confirmed that restrictions should be lifted on capacities from August 9, clubs should be looking for approval of their own to go beyond the 2000 limit.
Current rules allow clubs to apply for an exemption to the restrictions and, with Rangers and Celtic both regularly hosting attendances unlike those seen anywhere else in Scottish football, it would make a lot of sense.
Return to normality getting closer
Going from 0-100 and having 50,000/60,000 fans making their way to Glasgow for the first match post-August 9 seems short-sighted and allowing a gradual build-up over the coming weeks seems the logical step to take.
While many fans travel by car, thousands make their way to games at Ibrox or Celtic Park using public transport and it will have been a while since Glasgow’s subway and bus system has seen the numbers it does on matchday.
Thankfully, it appears that a return to normality is closer than ever and, hopefully, Rangers and Celtic look to push ahead and get more fans back into grounds soon.
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