Celtic FC have announced they will be coming to Australia to participate in a four-team tournament in November.
The four-team tournament is likely to include Rangers FC, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Celtic with reports claiming that Accor Stadium in Sydney is likely to host the games.
Celtic, coached by former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, will use the five-week break in domestic football later this year due to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to travel to Australia.
A ‘major football announcement for Sydney’ involving ‘legends from the visiting teams’, Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan, Western Sydney defender Rhys Williams and NSW Sport and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres was scheduled to take place.
However, due to the floods in NSW the event was postponed.
Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in world football and have a huge fanbase in Australia, particularly since Postecoglou was appointed manager in the off-season.
Postecoglou is thrilled about the opportunity to bring Celtic to his homeland in Australia.
“I haven’t been home for almost three years by the time this comes around so I’m super-excited,” Postecoglou told Celtic’s official website.
“It is a homecoming in many respects. That’s where my roots are, that’s where I grew up and I know that since I’ve been in this position at Celtic, people have been following my journey, whether they know me or not, and I’ll have a great sense of pride going back to Australia as manager of Celtic.”
Postecoglou acknowledged the close relationship between Celtic and Australia, with numerous Aussie football stars wearing the famous green and white hoops of the Glasgow team.
“It will be special. The club’s always had a strong connection with Australia, and I know how passionate the supporters’ groups are down there and how they follow the club, whether that’s been with Tommy Rogic or Scotty McDonald, or Jackson Irvine – people who have passed through the club – and now I am manager of the club,” Postecoglou said.
“And I think the Australian public in general will take great pride that one of theirs is in charge of such a famous club.”
Postecoglou was appointed manager of the Scottish giants in the off-season and has overseen a huge turnaround for the club, with Celtic winning the Scottish League Cup and currently sitting top of the Scottish Premiership ladder, ahead of arch rivals Rangers.
The 56-year old Aussie coaching great hopes to replicate the Celtic Park atmosphere when the team travels to Australia.
“It will create, I think, a unique atmosphere which only a Celtic crowd can provide. So for Australia sporting followers, they’re realise it’s something special,” Postecoglou said.
“Just being back on home soil and bringing this great football club to my shores will be special.”
