STAND AND DELIVER FOR FANS

MARTIN O'NEILL has backed Celtic's bid to claim the Broomloan Stand - and also wants Hoops fans to pack Parkhead again.

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

Express Sport revealed on Monday Parkhead chiefs are set to demand a bumper away allocation for next month's Old Firm Scottish Cup showdown at Ibrox.

O'Neill also expects SFA rules to be applied to allow travelling supporters up to 20 per cent of the stadium while Rangers are awaiting Celtic's official request ahead of negotiations between the clubs.

Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson and chairman Brian Wilson are also set to get around the table with fan groups this week - in a bid to broker peace between the parties.

A large section of supporters boycotted last weekend's Scottish Cup victory against Dundee and tensions remain amid calls for Nicholson to step down and the Green Brigade's ban to be lifted.

O'Neill is hoping for a resolution as his side head into crunch time in Scotland and in Europe.