The Old Firm ticket stand off is over – but will we ever see a return to the old allocations of 8000 away fans?
ANDY NEWPORT: Sadly not. It’s great to see calmer heads prevail between the big two with around 2400 travelling fans set to return to Parkhead this month and around 2000 at Ibrox for the final derby. But the days of Celtic fans filling the Copland and Rangers fans the full corner are long gone.
SCOTT BURNS: It is good that we will see away fans in for this fixture but they are always going to be at a minimum. Sadly, there is too much of a security risk these days to allow bigger away supports. It is sad but that is the reality.
MICHAEL GANNON: No chance. That ship has sailed unfortunately, but a few thousand is better than a couple of hundred or none at all. Let’s see how long it lasts as it would be no surprise if we end up back at square one again at some point.
Barry Ferguson got the plaudits for Rangers’ win at Killie – but was it right to drag off kid Clinton Nsiala after half an hour?
ANDY: Of course he was. It would have been more damaging to the young Frenchman to leave him out there when he was so clearly out of his depth. Nsiala is a prospect but he needs to grasp that this is man’s football and mistakes are punished. The awful Ayrshire astro was no place for a rookie still learning his trade.
SCOTT: Whether it was right or wrong, Barry Ferguson is the manager and he has to do what he feels is best for Rangers. The team were losing 2-0 and at that point the majority of the starting XI could have been hooked. Rangers went on to win the game so Ferguson was vindicated.
MICHAEL: Absolutely. The kid was having a nightmare and Rangers were in danger of going under. Philippe Clement should have arguably done the same against St Mirren. Football is a tough environment and if you’re having one you need to be replaced, regardless of your age or experience.
It’s derby day in Edinburgh on Sunday – who is coming out on top?
ANDY: I think we’re all looking forward to this one. Edinburgh derbies sometimes struggle to live up to the hype but both teams are coming in bang on form. I’ll sit on the fence and say a draw – but here’s hoping it’s an eight-goal thriller!
SCOTT: Both sides are in decent form but you would have to make Hibs’ favourites.
They are 14 unbeaten and everything is dropping for them. Hearts are also doing well but with home advantage I would need to go for David Gray’s men.
MICHAEL: This is a belter. It could have been a relegation scrap a few months ago but whoever comes out on top here could be favourites to finish third. Hibs are at home with wind in their sails and can edge a classic.
And there’s a massive game at the bottom as basement boys St Johnstone travel to second bottom Dundee – how will it finish?
ANDY: St Johnstone are slowly but surely gaining momentum while Dundee look to be locked in a tailspin, without a league win in seven. Victory for the visitors will see Saints go level on points and maybe even up the Dees on goal difference. They have every motivation to go for victory.
SCOTT: Alarm bells are ringing at Dundee and they just can’t afford to lose this one. They are missing key players through injury and everything seems to be aspiring against Tony Docherty’s side. I think Dundee might just edge it but if they don’t then their top-flight status will come into question.
MICHAEL: With both teams, managers and sets of fans with their nerves shot to pieces. Saints have found a bit of form and know how to find the net.
Dundee are a major worry as they are still struggling at the back but they might take a high scoring draw to maintain the narrow gap.