Celtic and Rangers will be playing each-other in Australia next season, and the Ibrox club’s Commercial and Marketing Manager has made the benefits clear.
The announcement of the Sydney Super Cup has been met with some criticism from both sets of supporters. James Bisgrove, a Director at Rangers, has explained that the financial incentives are considerable. It’s clear to see why, then, our fierce rivals will be joining us in New South Wales.
In an interview with Rangers TV, Bisgrove said: “To be frank, it’s of sizeable financial benefit for the club from a commercial perspective. To an extent that we’ve never had an offer of this level.
“Participation in this event, over 8 days, will benefit the club to the same level as entire season in the SPFL Premiership, for two friendly games.
“So when we talk about wanting to maximise the potential, the commercial potential of this football club, we felt that this is an opportunity that really helps us achieve that ambition.”
For Celtic, the offer will have been the same. The real appeal, and the focus of the marketing, is on Ange Postecoglou coming back to Australia, as manager of a world-famous football club in the form of Celtic. Celtic’s fanbase Down Under is huge, especially now with someone like Ange leading the way.
From Rangers’ point of view, it wasn’t something they could turn down. It also raises a great deal of questions about the value of the SPFL Premiership, and whether clubs are being ripped off in the Scottish top-flight.
Celtic and Rangers will jet off to Australia in November, to enormous financial benefit
Whether Celtic should be in any way aiding the commercial revenue of our rivals is a personal question. Inevitably, there’ll be strong feelings either way about this.
What’s clear, though, from Celtic’s point of view, is that this will boost the coffers and then some. Clearly, Australian clubs and local governments have sniffed an opportunity here. We know the capacity of the venues involved. Similarly, we also know this is going to sell tickets.
Increasingly over recent years, we’ve seen clubs take opportunities abroad. The Milan derby, El Clasico and other big games have kicked off in far-flung parts of the world, with obvious economic benefit.
Mere years ago, Dundee were anxious to get a Celtic game played over in the USA, during the league season [Daily Record]. This, at least, is an exhibition tournament, as opposed to the Premiership or the Scottish Cup.
Still, this will definitely spark some heated debate across Scottish football. What’s obvious, though, is that there isn’t a great deal of money in the SPFL.
Read more: Report: SFA weren’t aware of Celtic Australia plans last night; FIFA approval also needed
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