Celtic play Rangers at Ibrox on New Year’s Eve, and there’s not much at stake in terms of the league.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are 16-points clear of their city rivals and will most likely win the league title regardless of the result on Saturday.
However, the fixture always carries significance for the two sets of supporters, and it will also be the first time Celtic have played at Ibrox in almost five years.
Some Celtic fans had planned to mark the occasion by mocking the condition of the old ground, but their elaborate attempt to take the piss has been banned by Scottish police.
The fun never stops in Scotland's second city https://t.co/hyhw8zb6DI
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 12, 2016
For the Hoops’ first game at the Glasgow ground since March 2012, some fans were planning on wearing hardhats. Harmless banter, but still an act that was unlikely to be allowed.
https://twitter.com/tirnaog09/status/807504712857767936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The gag referred to Rangers’ trouble with the roof at Ibrox, and the condition of the stadium in general, as it has showed signs of aging in the past few years.
https://twitter.com/NaCeiltighAbu/status/808039662379999232
In 2015, a match against Dumbarton was delayed because of safety concerns about the roof. The club released a statement on the stadium’s deteriorating condition earlier this year.
“The present reality is that it will take several years to bring the facilities up to the standard that our supporters and the local community deserve – but the Board is determined to do that,” the statement read.
“We can’t only invest in the squad of players. Supporters need a stadium and environment in which to enjoy their match day experience that is consistent with the tradition and ambitions of Rangers Football Club.
“The stadium itself requires significant maintenance work, much of which will go unseen, but will include a major overhaul of the roofs of the Broomloan, Copland and Sandy Jardine stands.”
Celtic fans, never one to miss an opportunity to poke fun at their rivals, decided they weren’t taking any chances.
Going to Ibrox on Hogmanay???? I am sure the roof is safe bit why does this come with the ticket pic.twitter.com/MgLFpkG0lh
— dan (@Betseyglam) October 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/DerryCraic/status/808032814927147012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
#HardHats 😂😂😂🍀🍀
— JT67🍀 (@JohnGoldenBhoy) December 11, 2016
If you're going to watch Celtic at Ibrox maybe wear a magic hat, hmmm? pic.twitter.com/ASM67gmJhu
— Eamon O'Lenin ☭ (@eamonolenin) December 10, 2016
health and safety at Ibrokes. Safety 1st. Hard hats required. 😂
— Brian (@brido67) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/KNJBTS7/status/807939087684472833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
However, according to the Celtic Supporters Liaison, supporters will be prevented entering the ground wearing hardhats.
Celtic fans will just have to find other ways to mock their rivals.
For anyone who had intended to wear one @policescotland have advised that regulation hard hats will not be permitted at the match tomorrow😂 pic.twitter.com/jb4pOY6c2X
— CELTIC FC SLO (@CelticFCSLO) December 30, 2016
