Rangers and Celtic could be set to play in front of bumper home crowds on the same day for the first time in a quarter of a century - if they get the Government green light for full stadia in July.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to announce plans for Scotland after Level 0 within three weeks but if the nation continues to win its Covid fight then stadiums and events are scheduled to have maximum numbers by the end of June.
And that would be a huge boost for football supporters, with SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell admitting the decision on how many punters can get back through the turnstiles will depend on a successful Euro 2020 where 12,000 fans will be at Hampden as part of a “gateway event”.
It’s 15 months since either Rangers or Celtic fans were able to watch their team in action - the same as all top flight clubs in Scotland’s central belt with the exception of Kilmarnock in their play-off against Dundee at Rugby Park.
But the Glasgow giants have admitted they are hopeful that frustrating wait could soon be over and both Rangers and Celtic when it comes to pre-season games and that would throw up a rarity when it comes to the rivals.
Scottish Premiership fixture schedulers ensure they don’t play at home on the same day, and UEFA rules state that teams within a 31 mile radius of each other can’t be in European action on the same night.
However they have both arranged pre-season friendly games on the same day for the first time since 1996 with games scheduled for Saturday, July 17 albeit at slightly different kick off times.
Rangers face Arsenal (3pm) in a prestigious game that was announced last month as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations with former Light Blues midfielder Mikel Arteta returning to Ibrox with the Gunners.
Commercial and Marketing Director James Bisgrove said: “With the Covid-19 situation easing, we are very hopeful we will be able to welcome a significant number of our supporters back to Ibrox.”
Celtic have this week announced their own pre-season plans and listed was a fixture against English Championship side Preston North End on the same day (kick off 5.30pm) and the Hoops are also keen to have fans in.
They said in a statement “Clearly, we are encouraged by the recent announcement of supporters being allowed entry at sporting events across Glasgow this summer, including at Hampden and on Glasgow Green.
“Celtic has been at the forefront of the effort to get supporters back with us and now as we move back to normality, we are preparing to welcome you home to Celtic Park.
"We will be doing all we can to achieve this as soon as possible and will update all our supporters on developments as we look ahead to the new season.”
Celtic also announced that fixture will be included for those who buy season tickets but the prospect of huge crowds on the same day is one the Police are previously have said to advise against.
However, when contacted by Record Sport a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are aware of the football fixtures in Glasgow involving both Rangers FC and Celtic FC on Saturday, 17 July, 2021.
“As with any event or football match, we have a dedicated planning team who work with partners to put plans in place to maintain public safety. We will continue to liaise with the clubs, partners, and the Scottish Government, to ensure these matches take place safely.”
The last time there was such a scenario was back in the summer of 1996 and it also involved two pre-season games.
Ironically, Arsenal were the opposition for Rangers for Richard Gough’s testimonial as goals from Ally McCoist, Peter Van Vossen and Jorg Albertz earned a 3-0 win.
And on the same day 42,000 fans watched Celtic take on Sporting Lisbon in a match reportedly arranged as part of the Jorge Cadete deal with the Portuguese striker scoring along with Simon Donnelly in a 2-2 draw.
