Rangers and Celtic friendly tournament faces ‘unresolved issues’, may be off
The controversial Sydney Super Cup featuring Rangers and Celtic in Australia “may be in serious doubt” according to Sky Sports New Zealand’s Jason Pine.
Fans had reacted furiously to the plans for an Old Firm game to be held as a friendly, as part of a four-team tournament during the November break for the Qatar World Cup.
But those plans appear to have been thrown into disarray with the news that “unresolved issues” with the organiser are getting worse.
Posting on his Twitter account the Sky Sports New Zealand commentator Pine said: “Hearing football’s Sydney Super Cup may be in serious doubt.
“Unresolved issues with organiser escalating behind the scenes according to local sources.
“Launch may have been premature.”
Music to fans’ hears
This might be the unlikely news that many fans have been desperate to hear.
The Athletic had reported at the beginning of the month that the Scottish FA had to give approval for the plans but hadn’t yet been informed.
Until now that appeared to be the most likely stumbling block for the Glasgow rivals’ participation in the controversial trip.
Gers fans have been very unhappy with the fact that tradition surrounding the rivalry is being used as a marketing tool, and have reacted to the idea of the game ever being a “friendly”.
The way the news came out, allowing Celtic and Australian outlets to promote the plans heavily with a focus on the homecoming of Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, particularly rankled.
To hear that the launch may have been premature is little surprise in this light, as there was a disorganised element to the situation from the start.
Club suits will be sweating on the prospect of missing out on what has been billed as the equivalent of an entire SPFL season’s revenue.
But the significant proportion of the support that never wanted to see it go ahead will be boosted by the hope that a spanner is now in the works.
In other Rangers news, one Gers star has given an explanation for the swings in form between European and league games.