Ange Postecoglou last night insisted Celtic’s trip to Australia with Rangers will boost Scottish football’s growth across the globe.
The Parkhead boss is thrilled to be heading to his homeland in November after agreement was reached to participate in the Sydney Super Cup.
Celtic are set to meet Rangers outside of Scotland for the first time when the game is staged in New South Wales.
A section of the Celtic support chanted in protest and unveiled banners at last night's game against St Mirren stating their unhappiness at any type of joint venture.
But Postecoglou said: “No, look, I’ve said since day one that I’m not going to tell the supporters what to feel and what not to feel.
“Selfishly I’m delighted. I’m all over the promotional stuff which means I’ll hopefully still be in the job by then!
“Look, I’d love to take this team there to show people the football we can play.
“There are a lot of our supporters in Australia, I know, I’ve lived it, 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.
“I’m not going to tell people how they feel. But I have some selfish self-interest in this.
“I’m going to feel super-proud to take this team to where I grew up.
“It’s massive for Australia, but I think we’ve got to grow the game here for Scottish football.
“We’ve got an opportunity with a lot of interest in our football club, not just in Australia, but Asia.
“Every other big club around the world takes advantage of that, so why wouldn’t we take advantage of the fact we have got an unbelievable opportunity to keep growing the interest and popularity of this football club?
“That’s not just in the commercial sense, which is obviously a big part of football these days.
“But I will guarantee you we will gain new supporters of this football club.
“We are an all-inclusive church. We welcome people from far and wide, which we do, and I think taking the team to that side of the world is positive for us, but also positive for Scottish football.
“People know what I’m like, I’m not going to go there and treat it like a friendly.
“I want people to see us playing fantastic football and get everyone talking about our football club.
“I have no doubt it will be an unbelievable event and the atmosphere will be cracking.
“Our supporters will make it a special occasion like they always do.
“Right now we’ve got more important things to focus on. From my perspective, hopefully I’m still in charge to take this team to my home town. I’d be a very proud person.”
Postecoglou was delighted at his team’s 2-0 win over Saints which kept them three points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor scored in the second half and the boss said: “It would have been easy for us to get anxious and look for different ways.
“I was pleased with the players’ focus. That’s what it’s all about at this stage of the season and not getting distracted by noise or emotions shown by people outside.
“You are getting to the business end of the year and our supporters will be anxious. It’s a normal human emotion.
“I sensed that, although we didn’t get the early goal, we were in control.”
“Everyone has something to play for at this stage of the season. If people think we are going to stroll through teams scoring a lot of goals, I don’t think it’ll happen.”