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Rangers may have withdrawn from the Sydney Super Cup amid controversy but Ange Postecoglou insists Celtic are still looking forward to the event in Australia.
Rangers' withdrawal from the Sydney Super Cup won't stop Celtic's Ange Postecoglou savouring his Australian homecoming.
Celtic's great Ibrox rivals were strongly criticised on Friday after pulling out of November's tournament and scuppering the historic prospect of the first 'Old Firm' derby to be staged overseas.
Organisers reckoned Rangers had let fans down throughout Australia and Asia and also dismissed suggestions from the Scottish champions that they had reneged on certain aspects of the contract.
Yet Celtic boss Postecoglou, who's been proving himself one of the most successful Australian soccer managers ever to operate abroad, was adamant he was still eagerly anticipating the trip back home despite Rangers' decision.
Asked whether he felt disappointed by the news or whether he felt it had nothing to do with him, Postecoglou said on Friday: "It's got to do with me because I'm the manager of a club that's going there and looking forward to it.
"Apart from the fact that I think it's going to be great for our football club, because I know how passionate people are about this club and football in general, for me it's a trip back home. So I am certainly looking forward to it.
"Disappointment? Disappointment for me is about things I can control. I'm not going to get disappointed over things that I have got nothing to do with."
His Celtic side, which won their first piece of silverware under Postecoglou - the Scottish League Cup - in December, will continue to be major attractions but the absence of the much-touted Aussie 'Old Firm' derby is a big loss.
Tickets for the Sydney invitation tournament went on sale in the middle of last month but, announcing their withdrawal, Rangers claimed organisers had been "unwilling to fulfil their commitments" to the club.
The club's claims drew an angry response from the co-promoters of the tournament, TEG Sport and Left Field Live.
In a statement posted on the host venue's website, the Accor Stadium, they said: "We were disappointed to wake up this morning to Rangers FC's statement that it will not be participating in the Sydney Super Cup.
"The Rangers board committed to these matches following extensive negotiations over eight months.
"Seemingly in response to negative fan reaction, they have pulled out of their contracted commitment.
"We have worked closely with all stakeholders to bring this exciting event to Sydney and we refute any suggestion that we were unwilling to fulfil our commitments to Rangers.
"We have acted in good faith and have put the event on sale with a great response from fans here.
"In changing their minds, the Rangers board has let down many, many fans in Australia and the Asian region.
"We will now consult with our stakeholders before determining our response."
Rangers were due to play Western Sydney Wanderers on November 16 and then face Celtic four days later.
Some Rangers fans, though, complained about the project with bizarre protests disrupting their win over Dundee as fans chucked tennis balls and streamers on to the pitch, while some Celtic fans too did not like the idea of the age-old rivalry being 'cheapened' in a faraway invitation match.
With PA