Post by Taxigirl on Apr 17, 2004 9:38:50 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3631451.stm
Kilmarnock plan to restrict the number of Celtic fans attending Sunday's clash between the clubs at Rugby Park.
The SPL leaders head to Ayrshire for the second season running, looking to win the championship.
Trouble almost erupted last May during the same fixture, when pockets of Celtic fans sitting among the home support celebrated their side's win.
"Celtic fans can no longer purchase tickets at Rugby Park," confirmed Killie general manager Dave MacKinnon.
A win for Celtic at Rugby Park will secure the SPL title, therefore a large visiting support is guaranteed - although the trophy will be presented at the club's next home game.
However, Celtic supporters will now only be able to buy their tickets from Celtic direct.
MacKinnon admits this will lose Kilmarnock valuable revenue.
"The measures we have put in place are probably costing the club £100,000," he told the Sun newspaper.
"We can only hope our supporters appreciate this and respond by turning out in numbers.
"By doing this for the four Old Firm games at the ground this season it will mean a loss of more than £400,000.
"It is a brave decision and it was actually taken before I was appointed."
MacKinnon revealed that any Killie supporter who passes on a ticket to a Celtic fan faces a ban for life.
The Hoops have been allocated 9,000 tickets for the game and MacKinnon was keen to stress that security will be tight in the ground itself.
He said: "Any Celtic supporters who are found with a ticket in the Kilmarnock sections will be ejected without re-admission."
Kilmarnock plan to restrict the number of Celtic fans attending Sunday's clash between the clubs at Rugby Park.
The SPL leaders head to Ayrshire for the second season running, looking to win the championship.
Trouble almost erupted last May during the same fixture, when pockets of Celtic fans sitting among the home support celebrated their side's win.
"Celtic fans can no longer purchase tickets at Rugby Park," confirmed Killie general manager Dave MacKinnon.
A win for Celtic at Rugby Park will secure the SPL title, therefore a large visiting support is guaranteed - although the trophy will be presented at the club's next home game.
However, Celtic supporters will now only be able to buy their tickets from Celtic direct.
MacKinnon admits this will lose Kilmarnock valuable revenue.
"The measures we have put in place are probably costing the club £100,000," he told the Sun newspaper.
"We can only hope our supporters appreciate this and respond by turning out in numbers.
"By doing this for the four Old Firm games at the ground this season it will mean a loss of more than £400,000.
"It is a brave decision and it was actually taken before I was appointed."
MacKinnon revealed that any Killie supporter who passes on a ticket to a Celtic fan faces a ban for life.
The Hoops have been allocated 9,000 tickets for the game and MacKinnon was keen to stress that security will be tight in the ground itself.
He said: "Any Celtic supporters who are found with a ticket in the Kilmarnock sections will be ejected without re-admission."