Andy Halliday slams Celtic friendly, backs Rangers fans to put a stop to it
The proposed tour of Australia alongside Celtic is a “tourist show” and Rangers fans should prevent it from happening says Andy Halliday.
The club is planning to join their Old Firm rivals in a November friendly tournament that has been widely marketed as Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou’s “homecoming”.
Fans have reacted with fury at the news that the Glasgow rivalry is being hijacked for marketing purposes, and that Gers appear to be playing the role of side act in a celebration for their neighbours.
Former Ger Halliday has rubbished the club’s actions and backs the fans to stop it by threatening to negate any financial benefit it could bring.
He told Open Goal, via Football Scotland: “I personally think it’s an absolute embarrassment.
“Scotland as a whole stands out because how passionate the fans are. The Old Firm, Hearts v Hibs, Dundee derby, Aberdeen, the full thing.
“This is a tourist show. People are talking about financial benefits. Rangers’ biggest contributor to their finances is their fans and they aren’t having it.
“I don’t (think it will go ahead). If Rangers fans have their way it won’t. Like I said, how much Rangers fans contribute to the club in terms of season ticket, corporate, shirt sales, everything.
“95 percent of fans are alienated by the decision. I think the Rangers board are going to have a sticky few months.
“They’re going to make a few quid but if Rangers fans really want it to stop they’ll lose money.
“When it comes to Rangers and Celtic, you don’t make business decisions if it’s going to alienate the fans.”
Strength of feeling
The club appears to have underestimated the power of fan sentiment over this one.
The plans aren’t without their supporters, as former club captain Barry Ferguson recently arguing in the Daily Echo that the idea makes sense, just the PR was done poorly.
But if Halliday has judged the mood among fans accurately then the Light Blues hierarchy could be struggling.
Whether it makes sense from a financial point of view or not, they cannot take for granted the blind loyalty of the committed fans they already have, when they go in search of others.
In some ways it is an argument of tradition vs progression, and that is always going to be a heated one.
But regardless of the merits of the plan, it was a message that had to be delivered carefully if it was to be a success.
Fan boycotts are a drastic move, but if enough of the Gers support make a stand the club would be forced to take notice.
In other Rangers news, a former Ibrox hero has recalled how playing Red Star Belgrade was “absolutely berserk” ahead of the latest meeting.