This afternoon it was confirmed that Celtic will be playing against theRangers during their winter trip to Australia in November. Marketed as ‘Ange’s Homecoming’, the Glasgow sides will be competing in a friendly competition, alongside Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, titled The Sydney Super Cup.
For Celtic to play theRangers in a friendly on the other side of the planet is a bit of a joke. It makes a mockery of the rivalry, which is considered to be among the most fierce in the world, by diluting it. However, it also feeds into the “old firm”, two sides of the coin nonsense, and allows Celtic to be associated with a toxic brand.
Celtic has a global support, particularly in Australia, because of the club’s Irish roots. The worldwide Irish diaspora and Scottish ex-pats already support the club and acknowledge that we are a huge institution with great history on and off the pitch. We have that status and history in our own right. Fans outside of Scotland don’t need theRangers or an “old firm” game to be transported to them.
It is great for our huge Australian based support to see the team and it is important that Celtic don’t take our international fanbase for granted. By going to Australia, we are ensuring the next generation in Australia remain interested in the Hoops. Yet, they could have seen us playing against other clubs with the same reward.
Frankly, this fixture reeks of modern football commercialism.
I don’t care much for the argument that our board are being hypocritical because they recently tweeted that “we are not half of anything.” Anyone who has read about Resolution 12 and the 5 Way Agreement knows only too well that the custodians of Celtic would like nothing more than to be in bed with theRangers and to perpetuate the “old firm” and same club myths for financial gain. Their tweet was simply to try and impress fans during an awful season. It meant nothing. Therefore, I wasn’t gullible enough to believe that and won’t comment on it further.
“We’re not half of anything” ?????? pic.twitter.com/kfbiAepRi4
— MickD (@DonnachieMAD) March 1, 2022
What I do care about is this being a slippery slope to worse things. If we don’t oppose this one off game – it may become more than that. What next? A competitive match against them being held abroad in the highest bidding country? Celtic v theRangers in the USA, Saudi Arabia et al? More of these “old firm” exhibitions? Celtic being seen as nothing without them? And worst of all, this could be the start of Celtic becoming as commericialised and sanitised as the English Premier League clubs. So think about that before looking at this Sydney tournament in isolation.
As for the commercial aspect itself, Celtic will have to weigh up whether the couple of million pounds are worth constantly infuriating and alienating their core support. If they continue to do so, whether it be by attempting to appoint Bernard Higgins or doing this, then some fans will stop putting in the thousands of pounds that they currently do. If they move the club away from its roots and what makes it unique, then it’ll become just like any other club and lose the support of those who make it special.
Beyond that fact, it makes little business sense to involve your rivals in a venture like The Sydney Cup – considering they stand to gain financially along with us. Ask yourself, who needs the money more? So why help to prop up your financially struggling rivals, who are the offspring of an old club which cheated us for years and were liquidated as a result?
I fear that this is another step in the wrong direction and I worry about what it could lead to. Celtic is too important a cultural institution to be corporatised in this rancid world of modern football.
Well said Liam.That lot can’t stand Irish immigrants in Scotland and sing for them to go home.I wonder what any Br.tish r.ngers fan calls themselves in Australia? Probably the usual ex-pat garbage.Celtic should have absolutely nothing to do with them.They don’t even want our fans at Liebrox but want to hang onto our coat tails to make a few bob? Tell them to GTF.
Excellent comment Rob on a good article. This is the Celtic board, half of whom we know their allegiance lies across the city, using the good name of Celtic to prop up their new club. Feckin unbelievable ! The greed of the others knows no bounds….They have been turning Celtic into their cash cow for years by devaluating the playing squad. Sick of them. Desmond OUT !
Agree with both comments, let rankers go bust again. I will consider how much money i will spend on merchandise if this madness goes ahead.