Betrayal or Business? Postecoglou Breaks Silence on Controversial Celtic-Rangers Aussie Deal
Postecoglou Defends Controversial Joint Venture with Rangers in Australia
Celtic legend and former manager Ange Postecoglou has stirred up fresh controversy after defending the now infamous joint venture that once saw Celtic and Rangers scheduled to face off in Australia. The event, which was initially marketed as the “Sydney Super Cup,” aimed to bring the ferocious Old Firm rivalry to a global audience, but it was swiftly met with fierce backlash from both sets of supporters.
Postecoglou spoke out this week in defense of the move, describing it as a “missed opportunity” and a “chance to grow the global profile of Scottish football.” His comments have reignited a debate that has never truly settled among Celtic fans.
> “Football is global now,” said Postecoglou in a recent interview. “Celtic has millions of fans worldwide, especially in Australia, and I thought that match would have been a celebration of our history, our identity, and our reach. I never saw it as disrespecting the rivalry I saw it as elevating it.”
However, many Celtic fans did not share his view when the idea first surfaced. The prospect of playing a friendly Old Firm derby outside Scotland and in a commercial setting was seen by some as undermining the sacred traditions of one of the most passionate and politically charged rivalries in world football. The backlash was swift and loud.
At the time, supporters accused the Celtic board of selling out the club’s identity, especially by appearing to partner with Rangers in any kind of co-hosted format. Protest banners were unfurled at matches reading “We’re not half of anything” a clear rejection of the club being viewed as part of a corporate “double act” with their bitter rivals. Rangers fans also showed anger, calling the event a “disgrace” and accusing their own board of disrespecting the meaning behind the rivalry.
For Celtic fans, the issue wasn’t just about geography. It was about principle. The idea of traveling halfway across the world to play a “friendly” against Rangers a club with which their historical and political opposition runs deep seemed tone-deaf and disrespectful to the club’s roots and fan values.
One Celtic supporters group released a scathing statement at the time, saying:
> “Celtic FC is not a brand to be sold alongside our biggest rivals in a cheap money grab. We are not part of a ‘Glasgow double act’ and we never will be.”
The event was eventually canceled, and both clubs withdrew amid growing fan protests and negative media coverage. But Postecoglou’s recent comments suggest he still sees the bigger picture: a missed chance to internationalize the rivalry, bring revenue to the clubs, and give global fans a rare taste of the Old Firm atmosphere.
His remarks, however well intentioned, have re-opened wounds among the Celtic faithful. Many argue that while the club should aim for international expansion, it should never come at the cost of its integrity or traditions.
Others, however, agree with Postecoglou, seeing the global stage as a necessary path for Celtic to evolve. “We need to stop being so insular,” wrote one fan on social media. “The world is watching, and we should be proud to show it what Celtic means even if it’s in Sydney.”
The debate shows no sign of fading. For many Celtic fans, the scars from the Sydney Super Cup saga remain fresh. And while Postecoglou’s legacy at Celtic as a title winning manager is still widely respected, his recent comments have complicated that legacy in the eyes of some supporters.
In the end, the controversy highlights a wider tension in modern football between tradition and globalization, passion and profit. And for clubs like Celtic, the question remains: how far is too far when chasing global exposure?
