Celtic in Oz

[OSP]

Hey folks,

Heading along to the AAMI stadium tomorrow to watch the hoops play against Melbourne Victory in the last game of the tour down under.

I feel like a wee kid at christmas for the game, as despite knowing its a ****about friendly with neither team really giving a **** about result, or anywhere near top fitness, I'm just really excited to be heading to a Celtic game again after being away from home for the last year. Have missed being able to go to the games like hell over here, so this should help! (apart from having to watch Samaras get a guaranteed 75 mins as captain, purely cos his da was born here!)

Anyways, main point being, do we think it's advisable to come across to the other side of the world for pre-season games against teams who haven't even started their pre-season yet, in a winter climate, all in the name of the "global brand"?

 

[Rustie bugmuncher]

OSP. I felt the same on Friday and sat. went to watch training at the WACA then the game on sat. i have been away 4 years and its the thing i miss most about living in the uk.

to be honest i don't really think it is the best preparation with a new season less than two weeks away. I guess only time will tell if it will have an effect on us.

 

[anportmorbhoy]

Hey folks,

Heading along to the AAMI stadium tomorrow to watch the hoops play against Melbourne Victory in the last game of the tour down under.

I feel like a wee kid at christmas for the game, as despite knowing its a ****about friendly with neither team really giving a **** about result, or anywhere near top fitness, I'm just really excited to be heading to a Celtic game again after being away from home for the last year. Have missed being able to go to the games like hell over here, so this should help! (apart from having to watch Samaras get a guaranteed 75 mins as captain, purely cos his da was born here!)

Anyways, main point being, do we think it's advisable to come across to the other side of the world for pre-season games against teams who haven't even started their pre-season yet, in a winter climate, all in the name of the "global brand"?

Yes

We'll be getting as much out of these games as playing at home, plus we get some money

Whilst the long flights are not ideal the lads are all away as a group and have **** all to do but focus on training.

if it gets an extra few quid for lenny to strengthen the team then im all for whoring ourselves around the world

 

[RebelBhoy]

the only reeaaaaaaally friendlies are the ones you are at.

 

[The Raging Oxter]

It's a sign of the times. All big clubs do it now. Tours of north America, tours of Asia etc. It's about improving our brand and bringing in money which is something our club has become quite adept at.

At a time when Scottish football is struggling to attract money we must do all we can to bring financial benefits to the club.

 

[Thomas The Cat]

Don't see the big deal, they will get a better climate for the preparation, they are away from all the distractions, the club can make a few bucks and some fans who wouldn't otherwise get a small taste of the Celtic experience. All the bullshite that it will make them tired and unfit and injury prone is nonsense they won't be travelling on a bus for 5 hours like they do going to Aberdeen they didn't book a flight last minute with easy jet.

 

[DevAdvocate]

Don't see the big deal, they will get a better climate for the preparation, they are away from all the distractions, the club can make a few bucks and some fans who wouldn't otherwise get a small taste of the Celtic experience. All the bullshite that it will make them tired and unfit and injury prone is nonsense they won't be travelling on a bus for 5 hours like they do going to Aberdeen they didn't book a flight last minute with easy jet.

 

[EspaniaCelt]

Don't see the big deal, they will get a better climate for the preparation, they are away from all the distractions, the club can make a few bucks and some fans who wouldn't otherwise get a small taste of the Celtic experience. All the bullshite that it will make them tired and unfit and injury prone is nonsense they won't be travelling on a bus for 5 hours like they do going to Aberdeen they didn't book a flight last minute with easy jet.

Agree - good post!

 

[OSP]

I don't know about the better climate part - it's feckin freezin here in Melbourne the now. Mid-winter here for us.

I was kinda playing devil's advocate with the original question, as I do think it's a good idea for us to be here, especially with the amount of ex-pats down here. Also it's always good for team bonding to get the lads away as a group at the start of a season.

My only disappointment has been that we haven't made as much of a deal about it as we could. Not enough advertising/promo/merchandising going on, to really capitalise on being seen down here as a big european side. To be honest, if you weren't a Celtic fan already, I'm not sure you would even know the game is on tonight...

 

[rogueleader]

Im a bit the same , used to look on these things with scorn but now excited about heading off to the game in a few hours....

....driven down from byron due to the tiger airlines problem/cancellations ; stopped in sydney for one night then on to melbourne ; its made me realise I never want to live somewhere cold again !

and I cant find any buckfast in the shops anywhere.

 

[OSP]

Im a bit the same , used to look on these things with scorn but now excited about heading off to the game in a few hours....

....driven down from byron due to the tiger airlines problem/cancellations ; stopped in sydney for one night then on to melbourne ; its made me realise I never want to live somewhere cold again !

and I cant find any buckfast in the shops anywhere.

Haha, just to make you laugh on that one then mate - Was in the cellars bottle-o on Ackland Street in St Kilda last night. Chatting to the guy as usual, tells me they sell on average 1 bottle of buckie a week at $20 in there (they even have wee scotland flags on display beside it in the fridge). They sold out yesterday...

Also just saw the general admission tickets for the game have sold out, so looks like being about a 25,000 crowd tonight which should be good. Only downside is the melbourne CSC's display and banner has been banned from the stadium!

 

[rogueleader]

Only downside is the melbourne CSC's display and banner has been banned from the stadium!

..and its bloody freezing here !