Celtic and Rangers supporters angry about their teams meeting in a friendly match in Sydney

Ange Postecoglou’s November homecoming isn’t being hailed by Celtic and Rangers fans who have expressed their feelings in the stands.

Callum McGregor (centre) celebrates with Josip Juranovic after scoring in Celtic’s 2-0 win over St. Mirren. Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Celtic and Rangers supporters have expressed their disgust at the prospect of the Old Firm rivals meeting in a friendly match as part of the Sydney Super Cup in November.

Both of the Glasgow rivals have now confirmed their participation in the four-team tournament that will also include A-League clubs Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Celtic manager, former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, has expressed his delight about coming home to Australia. while Rangers commercial director James Bisgrove said the “unparalleled” financial opportunity was too good to refuse.

“Participation in this event over eight days will benefit the club to the same level as an entire season in the (Scottish) Premiership” Bisgrove told Rangers TV.

However, neither sets of fans are pleased, expressing their rage via banners at league games on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

“Money over morals” and “No d£rby friendlies” were two of the banners on display at McDiarmid Park, where second-placed Rangers beat St. Johnstone 1-0.

At Celtic Park, where the Hoops defeated St. Mirren 2-0 to maintain their three-point lead at the top of ladder, the banners included “We’re not half of anything … Unless there’s money to be made” and “Shove your ‘Old Firm’ friendly up your a**e.”

This was during Celtic's 2-0 win over St Mirren. https://t.co/pJIZuaTsHZpic.twitter.com/CTagzq7U4p

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) March 3, 2022

Club 1872, which holds 16,202,838 shares in Rangers, has written to the club’s managing director Stewart Robertson to “seek an explanation” for the decision made by the club’s executive and PLC boards.

“Regardless of the fee involved, alienating a significant portion of your supporter base cannot be seen as a sound commercial decision,” a Club 1872 spokesman told the Scottish Sun.

“Furthermore, the way in which this entire episode has been communicated to supporters once again highlights a lack of genuine supporter engagement, which has been replaced in the last two years by saturated marketing activity.”

Rangers fans are also fuming their team is part of an event being celebrated as Postecoglou’s homecoming.

Postecoglou said he was “selfishly” delighted to be returning home with Celtic, but he would not be telling Hoops fans “what to feel and what not to feel”.

“I’d love to take this team there to show people the football we can play,” he said.

“There are a lot of our supporters in Australia … who will be snapping up tickets and changing whatever holiday plans they had to come watch us play.

“I can understand some people have different views on it … but I’m going to feel super proud to take this team to where I grew up.”