POLICE Scotland have admitted the ‘dynamic’ of policing and stewarding the Old Firm game is set to change on the back of Celtic and Rangers’ ticket spat.

Rangers released a statement on Thursday revealing Hoops fans would see their 7000 allocation at Ibrox chopped to around 800, while a Parkhead statement around an hour later suggested the Premiership champions would do likewise at Celtic Park when Steven Gerrard’s fans come to visit.

Over the years police bosses have fine tuned their security operation when the two clubs meet for both getting fans in and around the ground as well as throughout the city.

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However, it now appears the blueprint for policing the most intense fixture in the Scottish football calendar could be set for a rethink.

Inspector Jennifer Aird of Police Scotland’s Operation Planning division told Herald Sport: “It’s likely to change the dynamic of the policing and stewarding operation.

“However we will continue to work closely with the clubs and relevant agencies to ensure the safety of supporters in the stadium.”

Rangers cited a spike in season ticket sales as the reason behind the decision, which will see Celtic supporters moved from the entire Broomloan Stand and squeezed into the corner between the Broomloan and the Sandy Jardine Stands.

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Celtic’s statement moments later said the Parkhead club would be happy to ‘reciprocate in terms of ticket allocation’, meaning the agreement between both for around 7000 away tickets each being abandoned.

A source said: “For years the police operation has been fine tuned for dealing with these games. The plan for each Old Firm match is plotted out on a game-by-game basis.

“However, dealing with safely getting 7000 visiting fans in and out of a stadium and potentially only 800 presents all different types of complications.

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“The clubs and police will want to make sure the games pass off as peacefully as possible but the way the event is looked after in terms of police and stewarding will need to be looked at.”

It emerged earlier this year that over half a million pounds has been spent on policing the Old Firm game in the last two years.

That included £206,796 on matches at Ibrox, £168,194 at Parkhead and £109,713 for cup matches at Hampden.