Celtic’s travelling support is gradually being squeezed out of Scottish football, with Tynecastle becoming the latest example of a shrinking away end.

The club posted a statement on the Celtic website in which they admitted to “surprise and disappointment” after learning that they would only receive 503 tickets for the game in Edinburgh.

Celtic’s Tynecastle allocation continues to shrink as away end is reduced

There have been tensions between the two sides ever since Hearts announced plans to reduce the away allocation of every side barring Hibs, due to an agreement between the two clubs, down to 650 in 2023.

That the escalated even further on the final day of the 2025/26 season, when Hearts’ request take 2,500 fans was rejected, instead being offered 800 in the away end at Celtic Park on the day that Martin O’Neill’s side won the league.

Hearts aren’t the only side to do this to Celtic either. Rangers, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone have all cut their allocations in recent years. While this may be disappointing for the travelling Hoops fans, it’s even more baffling for the sides who rarely sell out their home grounds, therefore missing out on a big pay day when the Hoops come to town.

How much further will this go?

At some point, everyone needs to come together and stop this. One of the best parts about Scottish football is the tribalism.

However, as we’ve seen with the Glasgow derby, reducing the number of away supporters to the bare minimum takes the sting out of the game and often results in the game becoming an anti-climax or subdued affair.

Some of this may well be to do with the fact that O’Neill’s side hammered Hearts 7-1 recently but the two sides are title rivals. If it they want a proper contest, do it justice and bring in a reasonable amount of supporters.