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.”
chris
Guest
Come on JB. Calling them an "All Stars" team or or whatever is fine. You honestly can't see the visuals that a national team playing against a club team gives out? Would Italy play Sydney FC? Would Brazil play against Wanderers? Would England play against AC Milan? No. Why not? Maybe in the 1930's but not now.
jbinnie
Guest
Chris- Please explain "degrading". To me if you asked any A -League players if they wanted to play against Rangers or Celtic they would jump at the chance. If however you picked a "Socceroo team" to play in such a game, and they refused, it would be the last time that individual would be considered for national duty. not that I think that would ever happen ,players don't think like that. By the way your thinking doesn't match the thinking of the famous Hungarian coach/manager Sebes of the Mighty Magyars of 1953, who played his national side against works teams if that was all that was available. When quizzed about this practice his reply was simplistic,"if they win 17-0 then they have had a good training session in scoring goals." Makes sense. Cheers jb.
chris
Guest
I've been to many games where the national team plays a club side. It's degrading to play a club side. That may have been ok in the 60's, 70's and 90's. But not now.
jbinnie
Guest
chris - Don't know your age or experience but let me list some "cringeworthy days" for you. 1983 Played England 3 times - drew 2, 0-0 and 1-1, lost 1, 0-1 1984 Played Man Utd Draw 0-0 Played Juventus 3 times Won 2-0, drew 1-1, lost 2-4 Played Notts Forest 3 times drew 3 times 1-1, 2-2 and 0-0 Played Rangers 2 times Won3-2, Lost 1-2 Played Man City Won 3-1. Played PSV Lost 0-2, Played Aston Villa Lost 0-2. Played Arsenal Lost 2-3 , Played Udinese Lost 0-2 Played Spurs Lost 1-2. 1985 Played Red Star 4 times Won 2, 4-0, 4-1, Lost 2, 0-2, 1-4 Played Vasco De Gama 2 times Won 2-1, Lost 0-1. Played Spurs once Won1-0. Played Udinese once Won 2-1 Now it should also be added that these results were achieved using players almost completely sourced from the local NSL teams. There is more if you are interested. Cheers jb.
chris
Guest
Thankfully those cringeworthy days of our national team playing a club side are long gone.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Since your from Adelaide watching it on tv might be the answer. Or Adelaide could bid for it. As for "zero actual affinity",that's a bit harsh on someone like Ange. If he does win the Scottish Championship with Celtic, then Australian football needs to look at Ange and wonder, "why is he successful"? Ange's achievements as manager could be significant for Australian football in the long run.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Can't happen - I've read all the blogs on here before that Sydney teams only play in NSW. And the good thing is that Sydney and West Sydney will win because the VAR and refs will favour them!
John
Guest
I tell you what Kyogo, you keep telling lies about our history and we will keep telling the truth about yours. Big Jock Knew !!
Kyogo
Guest
Old firm died with the Huns demise in 2012 Want to annoy everyone Celtic fan keep using that term
BT
Guest
Bluenoses are born, not manufactured. We do not choose, we are chosen. Those that don’t understand don’t matter. Those who understand need no explanation! WE ARE THE PEOPLE
pete4
Roar Rookie
Ange knows which derby will be better (not the one he’s in) :laughing:
Ben
Guest
Been over a century since we had sectarian issues in Australia, let's import Scotland's.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"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." - Next they'll have to take the Sydney Derby to Glasgow.
stu
Guest
It's not hard to understand Marcel. Foreign club teams have toured here in the past and will do so in the future. It would come as no surprise that those most interested would be those with some type of affiliation with that team. Sorry to call it out but if you have no interest, don't take any interest and we will not need to hear from you on the subject moving forward. So it would certainly agree with your statement.
jbinnie
Guest
Arok must be turning in his gave at this news. Two top sides coming from another country and no place in the programme for a national side. Just think, we could have had the Socceroos playing 2 "home" matches against class opposition, jb.
josh
Guest
Hello Celtic, we are Western Sydney. Sorry if you haven't heard of us before, you'll definitely remember us.
Marcel
Guest
Hard to see any significant interest in this outside of expats.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
*$150 celtic jersey with rogic numbering. *$150 match day tickets *$400 return flights *$120 combined taxi/uber to the hotel and then back to the airport *$300 hotel accommodation *$40 taxi to the ground and back *$150 breakfast/lunch/dinner/game night food over a $1000 to watch a team from a city i wasnt born in, have no family connection to, have never seen play live etc etc – zero actual affinity but hey i’d rather go watch celtic then watch my local a league or NPL team play……. rrrrrrrrrrright
Brendan
Roar Pro
Thankfully, some happy news for football in Australia. Looking forward to it! Ange, we salute you, champion.