Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer has already set his sights on the club’s high-profile clash against Scottish giants Celtic.
Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer has already set his sights on the club’s high-profile clash against Scottish giants Celtic.
Victory will host the Bhoys on the final leg of their three-match Australian tour at AAMI Park on July 13 following games against the Central Coast Mariners (July 2) and Perth Glory (July 9).
For Leijer and his Victory team-mates, the chance to face the 42-time champions of Scottish football is a mouth-watering prospect.
“It’s fantastic for us guys in Australia to play against a team that’s ranked pretty highly in the world of football,” Leijer said.
“Celtic is a massive club and has a fantastic history. I can’t wait to play them.”
The clash is scheduled just nine days after Victory returns from their off-season break, but Leijer believes that timing will prove a positive, rather than negative for the club.
“It’s going to be early in pre-season, but I think it’s a nice early hitout and good to see where we are at,” Leijer said.
“They have got some good players, a proud history and are a well-known team in Australia. It’s good for the club, good exposure for us.”
Leijer said the choice of AAMI Park as the venue would only add to the occasion.
“That’s what it’s (AAMI Park) made for, these big games,” Leijer said.
“I’d like to think there’s that many Celtic fans in Australia that we can pack it out.”
“Even people that aren’t Celtic fans and interested in the game of football, it’s a good opportunity to watch a big European club against Melbourne Victory.”
The clash is expected to be the start of a new era for Victory with the new coach in charge by then, in addition to marking the debuts of new recruits Jean Carlos Solorzano and Marco Rojas.
The Australian trip is Celtic’s third Down Under adventure after previous visits in 1977 and 2009.
Managed by Neil Lennon, Celtic finished second in the recently completed Scottish Premier League season behind Glasgow rivals Rangers.
Their squad boasts substantial international experience including Freddie Ljungberg (Sweden), Scott Brown (Scotland), Georgios Samaras (Greece), Anthony Stokes (Ireland), Ki Sung-Yueng (South Korea) and Andreas Hinkel (Germany).
TICKETING DETAILS
Melbourne Victory FC v Celtic FC
Wednesday, July 13, AAMI Park at 7:30pm
Tickets from Ticketek, 132 849
Click here to visit Ticketek website
A pre-sale period will commence on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 for:
* Melbourne Victory members
* Celtic FC and Official Celtic FC Supporter Groups
* Football Family (FFA)
* Ticketek members
Public ticket sales will commence on Wednesday, June 8, 2011.
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