Sevco have reacted angrily to Hibs’ decision to cut their ticket allocation for their May 13 visit to Easter Road.
With their own fans snapping up tickets for three stands the Edinburgh side have decided to give their own supporters part of the South Stand cutting the allocation to visitors down to around 1,500, which could be even less than the number of England fans going to Russia and making World Cup bets.
Sevco will still get a far bigger percentage than they offer to Hibs fans coming to Ibrox but that didn’t go down well with an angry statement being issued late on Tuesday night.
They stated: “First and foremost Rangers hopes the safety of our fans, who will now be in only one section of the South Stand rather than filling it completely, will not be compromised by this decision, which beggars belief.
“This is the least Rangers expects for supporters who have repeatedly proven themselves to be the most loyal in the country by selling out away ticketing allocations at opposition stadiums for years.
“This was evident as we rose through the divisions when clubs the length and breadth of the country, including Hibernian, benefited financially from the presence of our fans.
“Rangers will of course bear in mind Hibernian’s decision when considering ticketing arrangements for future matches – both home and away – against this particular club.”
Health and safety is a major issue for visiting fans to Ibrox who are housed in a corner of the ground with home supporters on either side.
At Easter Road the visiting support will have one side of the stand with an area of segregation before the section housing Hibs supporters.
With just three points separating three clubs, the match between Hibs and Sevco could have a significant effect on the final league table with a difference of around £500,000 in prize money between the club finishing second and the one in fourth place.
Second would be a very good return for the Edinburgh-based club who are only in their first season back in the top flight after three years in the second tier. Hibs have made themselves hard to beat, succumbing to just six defeats this season at time of writing and have ex-Celtic striker Anthony Stokes as top scorer on just seven goals despite him no longer being at the club.
Prior to the visit of Sevco, Hibs have tough fixtures away at Aberdeen at Pittodrie before another away fixture against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby, with their rivals themselves having already secured a top half finish.
