Celtic star Benjamin Nygren has made it clear he will not alter his approach for Sunday’s highly charged Old Firm clash at Ibrox, even with no away fans allowed inside the stadium.
The Premier Sports Cup quarter-final marks the first meeting of the season between the Glasgow rivals. It will also be the first derby staged under a new temporary arrangement that bans visiting supporters from all SPFL competitions involving the two clubs.
Why Away Fans Are Locked Out
The decision follows serious disorder at last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. Both clubs and the authorities failed to agree on workable solutions that would guarantee safety for a full allocation of away fans.
While the ban is not a formal punishment, it creates a highly unusual atmosphere. Only home supporters will fill the stands, removing one of the traditional elements that makes Old Firm matches so intense.
For the away team, the challenge is obvious. Celtic will have to generate their own energy without the familiar roar of the travelling support behind them.
Nygren’s Calm Response
Nygren, speaking on Celtic’s official YouTube channel, refused to dwell on the missing fans. “I’ve always loved loud crowds,” he said. “I’ve always loved playing at home and away in my career so far. I just see it as energy within the stadium. I just bring in the energy and that’s how I think of it.”
The Sweden international added a pragmatic note. “To be honest, when you’re in the game you just try to focus on the game. Of course, our fans are so important for us, and we love their support.”
“Now it is what it is. We cannot do anything about it. We just have to focus on the game and let them celebrate outside of the stadium.”
Fresh Legs After Midweek Rest
Nygren should arrive at Ibrox in good physical condition. He was rested for the majority of Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over St Johnstone and only entered the action later as a substitute.
That careful management underlines his importance to the Celtic side. The attacking midfielder has become a central figure in the team’s early-season success and is widely viewed as a player the champions can ill afford to lose.
Celtic’s Perfect Start to the Season
Martin O’Neill’s side currently sit top of the William Hill Premiership with a flawless record. Six wins from six matches have given them 18 points and a five-point cushion over second-placed Rangers.
The midweek victory at McDiarmid Park extended an impressive run of form that stretches back into the closing stages of last season. Celtic have looked sharp in attack and organised at the back, conceding just three goals in the league so far.
Nygren has played a significant role in that momentum. His ability to arrive late into the box, link play and create chances has made him a constant threat.
Rangers Looking for Consistency
Rangers sit second with 13 points from six games. Derek McInnes’s side have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, collecting four successive victories.
A narrow 1-0 home win over St Mirren on the same night Celtic beat St Johnstone kept them in touch at the top. However, the gap remains significant and the pressure on the home side on Sunday will be intense.
Playing in front of a full house of their own supporters may give Rangers an extra edge. The absence of any Celtic fans will create a one-sided atmosphere that the home players will look to exploit.
Tactical Battles to Watch
Celtic’s usual approach relies on high pressing and quick transitions. Without the usual away support to lift them during difficult periods, the players will need to maintain concentration and intensity for the full 90 minutes.
Nygren’s role as an advanced midfielder will be crucial. He often operates in the half-spaces, linking midfield to attack and providing an extra body in the box. His movement and timing of runs have caused problems for several Premiership defences already this season.
Rangers will likely look to control the midfield and use the energy of the home crowd to push Celtic deeper. Set-pieces and moments of individual quality could prove decisive in a game that may become tight and physical.
What the Fans Are Saying
Celtic supporters have expressed a mixture of frustration and defiance online. Many feel the ban unfairly punishes ordinary fans who simply want to follow their team. Others have already begun organising gatherings outside the stadium to create noise and atmosphere from beyond the turnstiles.
Rangers fans, meanwhile, appear largely supportive of the decision. They argue that safety must come first after the ugly scenes of last March and welcome the chance to create a purely home environment for such a big occasion.
Both sets of supporters agree on one point: the match itself will still feel like an Old Firm derby. The history, the rivalry and the quality of the players on the pitch guarantee intensity regardless of who is in the stands.
Why Nygren Matters So Much
The Swedish international has developed into one of Celtic’s most reliable performers. His work rate, technical quality and goal threat make him difficult to mark.
Managers have repeatedly emphasised that Celtic’s best performances tend to feature Nygren in the starting lineup. His ability to influence games both with and without the ball gives the team balance.
On Sunday he will need to help set the tempo early. With no away fans to settle any early nerves, the onus falls on the players themselves to create the right atmosphere on the pitch.
Looking Ahead to a Strange But Familiar Rivalry
Old Firm matches rarely lack drama. Even in an empty away end, the occasion will carry the same weight for the players. Points in the Premier Sports Cup and bragging rights for the first derby of the season are both on the line.
Celtic head into the fixture as league leaders and in strong form. Rangers will be desperate to halt that momentum and give their own supporters something to cheer.
Nygren’s message was simple and focused. The missing fans change the soundtrack of the afternoon, but they do not change the job in front of him. He intends to treat the game as he always does: bring his own energy and concentrate fully on the contest.
Whether that approach proves enough to secure a result at Ibrox remains to be seen. What is already clear is that Sunday’s match will feel different from the derbies of recent years. The absence of away supporters has altered the traditional formula, yet the rivalry itself remains as fierce as ever.
For Celtic, the task is to overcome both the home crowd and the unusual circumstances. For Nygren, the focus stays internal. The energy, he insists, will come from within.