Reports have surfaced today claiming that Rangers will play Celtic in an Old Firm ‘friendly’ game to take place in Sydney in November.
Emanating from Australia and picked up by the Scottish Daily Express, the word is that the game would go ahead during the international break, probably just prior to the World Cup in Qatar.
At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation from Glasgow that this will go ahead but if it does, it will have a unique unintended consequence as it will ‘unite’ both sets of supporters who will be very firm and vocal in their backlash against this money-centred idea.
BREAKING 🚨
🇦🇺⚽️🟢🔵 #Celtic to face #Rangers in Australia claim as Old Firm to go 'head to head' in November
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/gAHyqTX96P pic.twitter.com/OWvHhHC3f7— Scottish Express Sport (@ScotExpSport) March 1, 2022
From the report above, it was stated:
“There are strong claims Celtic and Rangers are to face each other on foreign soil for the first time ever with an exhibition game planned for Australia in November.”
“The stunning news is coming from football fan accounts Down Under who are boldly insisting the news will be confirmed tomorrow.”
Wrong
The biggest game in Scottish football is all about meaning, rivalry, passion and resonance – it is not a commodity that can be lifted and taken around the world to the highest bidder and especially not for a meaningless ‘friendly’ fixture.
In particular, given Celtic’s insistence and recent marketing that the Old Firm does not exist, how would they explain this one and face down an angry response from their supporters?
Yes, money matters and revenue streams should be maximised but this has to be down within reason and with respect to the club’s heritage as well as to the committed core support. It remains to be seen, if anything, will follow from the clubs in relation to this but it would not be a positive development.
No to an Old Firm game in Australia, no to a Sydney shame game.