Details of Celtic’s Old Firm partnership have been confirmed as the two major Glasgow clubs work together on their Sydney Super Cup venture.
Since the November 20 match was announced at the start of the month there has been protests from both sets of fans but the issue at Ibrox has been much more extreme.
There were chants and banners at Celtic’s home match against St Mirren the day after the Sydney Super Cup match was announced but nothing like the reactions at Ibrox.
Last Sunday’s match at Dundee was interrupted three times as away fans sang their displeasure about the friendly and their thoughts about those who had made the decision.
? Celtic Football Club Statement:
We’re not half of anything… ?
Not our problem.#OneClubSince1888
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 9
Celtic have kept a relatively low profile on the November 20, the focus has all been on Ange’s Homecoming Tour but there can be no doubt about the club’s commitment and enthusiasm for the Old Firm brand that, in public they prefer to describe as the Glasgow Derby.
Covering the likelihood of the Ibrox club pulling out of the Sydney Super Cup tie with background detail, highlighting Celtic’s branding preference for Ange’s Homecoming Tour, the Rangers Review states:
This will have been a frustration to the club given conversations over a financially lucrative match in Australia have been going on behind the scenes since 2019, long before Celtic moved to appoint Ange Postecoglou as manager.
Looking at the way the games have been marketed, it doesn’t take a genius to work out where there will be concerns over how the match has been pitched to the public.
And it’s understood the use of the ‘Old Firm’ brand that both clubs own the trademark to is at the centre of issues. The two clubs renewed their deal in March 2021 with both “Old Firm” and “The Old Firm” covered.
The “Old Firm” trademark – under number UK00002264673 – dates back to 2001 – while “The Old Firm” – given number UK0002181523A – was first agreed in 1998.
It appears a difficult situation for the promoter who is piggy in the middle and has to make sense of the reality that the use of ‘Old Firm’ or ‘Glasgow Derby’ will likely upset one half of the fans they are looking to sell tickets to.
The Rangers Review is part of the Newsquest Group that includes the Herald, Glasgow Times, National, The Celtic Way.
Should Celtic play their city rivals in Australia?
Yes, great opportunity to promote our brand
No, no, no, no, no. A horrific idea
Next Sunday Celtic are at Ibrox on SPFL duty, two weeks later the two clubs will meet at Hampden in the Scottish Cup with a further match still to be scheduled. Only one club will be referring to these matches as Old Firm clashes despite both holding the trademark.
Celtic will also play Sydney FC as part of their Sydney Super Cup commitments.
Sevco will bang the drum of we’re no gawn till they get equal billing, but more importantly equal monies. Then they will go.
Once thats been agreed all this nonsense will disappear like a fart in the wind, and once the klan realise they aren’t playing 2nd fiddle, they too will dance and sing and break stuff.
Give them the other fiddle, but, they can bring their own ‘bow’ and ‘strings’
These people wouldn’t be out of place,on the tory front bench. Brother walfrid must be looking down in disgust.
OF = Obsolete Fraudulent =Deaco1872 = liquidated, no more.