IBROX legend Derek Johnstone has launched a blistering assault on Motherwell over their decision to hand only 1,500 tickets to Rangers fans for the second leg of the SPFL Premiership play-off final.

 

The Fir Park side have infuriated the Light Blue legions by giving them only one-third of the South Stand at Fir Park following a breakdown in negotiations between the clubs over ticketing arrangements.

It is understood Motherwell believed they had secured 2,000 briefs for Thursday night's Ibrox showdown and were prepared to hand 4,800 to Rangers supporters.

However, they were given an allocation of 950 and Johnstone insists their response is set to turn Scottish football into a laughing stock by leaving a large section of the ground empty for such a showpiece fixture.

Hibs limited the allocation to Rangers supporters for the second leg of the semi-final after being denied a request for more Ibrox tickets and that match was played out with the away stand only around half-full.

"I think it is an absolute nonsense," said Johnstone. "I can understand why Motherwell are doing it because they are only getting

950 tickets for the first leg, but that is all they would take for a league game anyway.

"Rangers have sold out their stadium for the game. They are quite right to do what they have done.

"Motherwell wanted 2,000 tickets for Ibrox and didn't get them, so they are only willing to give 1,500 now.

"Fine. If that is the way you want to be, it is your home game and your choice.

"It is your stadium and you can do what you like, but it looks absolutely stupid.

"People down south will watch the game. There was a stand half-empty at Easter Road in the semi-final and it will be the same again at Fir Park.

"It looks absolutely ridiculous from the point of view of a spectacle for television.

"We are trying to get people to invest in the game and we are desperate to get people into grounds, but we are going to lock 3000 people out of the play-off final.

"Motherwell are saying they would rather leave half a stand empty. It is ridiculous."

Motherwell have announced that they are restricting the sale of tickets for Sunday's second leg to season ticket holders, Well Society members and those already registered on their ticketing database in an attempt to stop Rangers supporters sitting in sections reserved for home fans.

However, Johnstone has been informed that a number of Rangers supporters have already reserved seats in the Motherwell end and knows the security concerns that will bring.

"That is the worry and it is going to be down to Motherwell," he said.

"I have heard of Rangers fans getting tickets in the Motherwell sections.

"I am not going to say that there is going to be trouble, but it could cause problems and Motherwell have to take the blame."