The Sydney Super Cup is set to take place in November and fans are not happy to see Celtic v Rangers as part of the bill.
It's a competition that also features Australian A-League clubs Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, and is due to take place during the Qatar World Cup break.
Celtic were the first to confirm their participation on Tuesday, with Rangers announcing it a day after. It's being billed as a homecoming of sorts for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou played for and managed the Australian national team, and spent most of his managerial career at youth level and Aussie based teams.
While the fan sentiment around the Celtic v Rangers friendly is mixed, the reaction in Australia has been positive. Western Sydney's Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stuart Ayres, welcomed the move.
"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," he said.
Postecoglou has also spoken fondly about Celtic's participation. "I know how big this club is back home. For me to go back home as the manager of it, it'll be emotional."
Fan Reaction To Celtic v Rangers Down Under
Many fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment at the move, particularly allowing the infamous Celtic v Rangers clash to be played as a 'friendly'.
“We are not half of anything.” I sense Celtic FC do not seem to understand the supporters antipathy towards a game in Australia v Sevco. This would give legitimacy to ‘we are half of something’ and it’s not what the Celtic support want.
— Stephen Craig (@StephenwCraig) March 1, 2022
If this is true?and you are getting into bed with that club,I will under no circumstances renew my season ticket next year after over 30 years of having one,I do not want my club associated with them,who is with me?@TheCelticTrust @Celtic_Shared @CelticStarMag #wearehalfofnothing
— John McCabe (@JohnMcCabe28) March 1, 2022
"We're not half of anything" ?????? pic.twitter.com/kfbiAepRi4
— MickD (@DonnachieMAD) March 1, 2022
Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Paddy Kenny spoke to Football Insider and appears to be baffled by the move:
I don’t think that’s going to go down well. I find it very strange. It must come down to money, that’s all I can think. Why would you go all the way over there just to play a friendly against your biggest rivals? They are meant to hate each other. The only thing can be for the money. The fans must be fuming with that. I can’t understand why the club would sign off on that. It’s like a Celtic thing Rangers have been tagged on to. That’s so strange to me.
If the event goes ahead, Celtic v Rangers will be played on November 20th at the 83,500-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney.
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