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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is expecting an “emotional” return home to Australia later this year when the Scottish giants are the headline act in a four-team tournament in Sydney.
The inaugural Sydney Super Cup, which will kick off on November 16, will include the first-ever Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers to be played outside Scotland.
The other two teams in the three-match event played over five nights are A-League Men rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Postecoglou, who has Celtic top of the Scottish Premiership standings with 10 matches to play, is thrilled to be headed Down Under after a long spell away — firstly in Japan before his successful transition to the UK last year.
“I haven’t been home for almost three years by the time this comes around so I’m super-excited,” the former Socceroos boss said on Celtic’s official website.
“The club’s obviously been down there a couple of times before and I know just how passionate the Celtic fans are about the football club, so we’re looking forward to it.”
The event will make use of a break in domestic league action in the lead-up to the World Cup, which is scheduled to commence in late November.
Celtic’s squad includes Australia’s Tom Rogic, though he will be unavailable for the Sydney trip if the Socceroos qualify for Qatar 2022.
Postecoglou said he was certain the Hoops would attract a big crowd and that his presence would add to the spectacle for the club’s Australian fans.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The clash between Celtic and their bitter Glasgow rivals Rangers is sure to garner most attention, as they clash on foreign soil for the first time in their 134-year rivalry.
“People are not that aware of the global reach of this football club,” Postecoglou said.
“If you talk about big football clubs in Australia, Celtic is up there in terms of recognition.
“It’s not the overriding 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…
“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.”
© AAP
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