Celtic and Rangers set for Australian Old Firm clash
The Old Firm will meet outside Scotland for the first time later this year.
Last updated 2nd Mar 2022
Celtic and Rangers will play each other in Australia later this year.
The Parkhead side announced yesterday that they would compete in the inaugural Sydney Super Cup, a four-team tournament.
And now it's been confirmed their Old Firm rivals will join them Down Under.
The competition will take place at the end of November, during World Cup in Qatar.
Stuart Ayles, Western Sydney's Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport said: “Sydney has kicked another goal as Australia’s home of football with the world’s best clubs coming out to play our hometown heroes in the Sydney Super Cup. What better way to start than with a historic rivalry like the Celtic vs Rangers derby.
“This will be the first time in history this iconic matchup has been played outside of Scotland, so this will be a huge attraction for football fans domestically and abroad."
The tournament will see Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou returning to his homeland and the two-time A-League winner and former Socceroos boss admitted it would be an emotional trip.
"There's no doubt it will be special. I know how big this football club is back home and for me to go back as the manager of it, it will be emotional," said the 56-year-old, who moved to Australia from his native Greece as a small child.
"There's a lot of guys who I grew up with or shared a dressing room with who are die-hard Celtic supporters and they are going to see their mate bringing their team Down Under.
"For the whole football community that I grew up in, they will all take great pride out of somebody who came through their ranks bringing home such a massive football club.
"People are not that aware of the global reach of this football club. If you talk about big football clubs in Australia, Celtic is up there in terms of recognition.
"It's not the over-riding sport in the country, but if you talk to a football lover or even a sport lover in Australia, Celtic is at the forefront of the clubs that they know.
"Hopefully what this means is that we keep looking at these markets and keep growing the reach of this football club because there are opportunities there to keep fertilising that feeling and connection.
"If you support this football club in Australia, it means you are getting up at two or three in the morning to watch them and that's a hell of a commitment.
"I knew guys that were doing that every week, going to their local to see this football club play.
"I know this will be super well-received and I know it will help continue growing this club's legacy on that side of the world."
More to follow...