All of us began the week believing it to be mere Web furphy.
However, no. Celtic and Rangers are literally heading Down Beneath to tackle one another in entrance of an anticipated 80,000 crowd of Sydneysiders.
The concept of heading overseas for sunnier climes and a few income boosting friendlies is one few followers of both facet may have picked a bone with in the course of the five-week lay-off introduced over November and December by Qatar 2022.
However few anticipated the golf equipment to face one another and already it has sparked fury from the stands and keyboards.
Quite a bit can occur in eight months when it comes to gamers coming out and in however one factor is for certain that the Aussie crowd will not see both facet at their strongest.
A spate of absences are anticipated with golf equipment pressured to launch gamers to their respective nationwide groups by November 14 – two days BEFORE the primary fixture of the Sydney Tremendous Cup, which additionally includes A-Leaguers Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Glasgow giants meet on November 20, simply hours earlier than the primary match of the Qatar finals.
Whereas it is a tight squeeze, pre-World Cup friendlies – and even bounce video games between nations not competing at Qatar 2022 – might be organized throughout that point which might additionally take but extra gamers out of the equation throughout an official FIFA window.
Croatia, for instance, have already indicated they'll have a warm-up recreation whereas Gareth Southgate says his England gamers will likely be entering into chilly.
It is all a little bit of a headache however fortunately we have damaged down who's prone to miss the Sydney Tremendous Cup from each Glasgow contributors.
Rangers
Let's begin at house and the end result all of us need – Scotland making it to a primary World Cup since 1998.
Off the bat that appears like Jon McLaughlin and Ryan Jack would miss out with each key members of the present nationwide set-up.
Sticking with UEFA nations and Sweden could take Filip Helander alongside for the trip ought to they make it previous Czech Republic after which Poland of their play-off.
Croatia's ticket is already punched as group winners and Borna Barisic is prone to be on their checklist.
Nigeria's participation in AFCON led to Joe Aribo's absence in January – he'll be Qatar-bound, doubtlessly alongside Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun, in the event that they make it previous Ghana in a two-legged play-off subsequent month.
Over to the Americas. Alfredo Morelos and Colombia want a miracle to clinch a qualification spot within the closing two matches nevertheless it's nonetheless doable.
The image is trying prettier in Concacaf qualifying for Crew USA. James Sands is within the image beneath Gregg Berhalter having featured of their profitable Gold Cup marketing campaign however he wants video games.
The likes of Glen Kamara (Finland), Kemar Roofe (Jamaica) and Style Sakala (Zambia) are lacking out on Qatar 2022 however friendlies cannot be dominated out.
Canada are getting ready to qualification however Scott Arfield introduced his worldwide retirement earlier this yr.
Others who would nearly definitely be accessible, offering they're nonetheless on the membership and match, are Allan McGregor, captain James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, Ianis Hagi, Steven Davis, Ryan Kent, Cedric Itten and Scott Wright.
Celtic
Once more, we'll start with the Scottish contingent. Greg Taylor, Anthony Ralston, David Turnbull and Callum McGregor and are all extremely prone to be in a hypothetical Steve Clarke squad. James Forrestwould like to be toohowever it will be a shock happening present type.
Carl Starfelt has picked up a handful of Sweden caps in friendlies however not within the qualifiers which have taken place since his transfer to Celtic.
Proper-back Josip Juranovic was in Croatia's Euros squad final yr and also you'd think about can be a straightforward decide once more given his type.
And there is even an opportunity Matt O'Riley might be given the nod by Denmark if he continues his present trajectory.
Trying to Asia and considered one of Australia or Japan will safe an computerized qualification berth.
At the moment it is Japan, who embrace Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda. Yosuke Ideguchi, at current, is a way out of the worldwide image.
Tom Rogic and the Socceroos will attempt to overtake them from third within the closing two video games or they will face a play-off.
Lastly, Celtic even have an American defender within the body as Cameron Carter-Vickers stays a shout for the US.
Scotland's late present ensured Israel, together with Liel Abada and Nir Bitton, could not qualify. Giorgos Giakoumakis was within the Greece image earlier than health hassle earlier this season – these nations could also be eager on a pleasant.
Different gamers who must be accessible for Celtic, offering they're nonetheless on the membership and match, embrace Joe Hart, Scott Bain, Christopher Jullien, Liam Scales, Stephen Welsh, James McCarthy, Jota, Mikey Johnston, Ben Doak, Karamoko Dembele, Albian Ajeti and Johnny Kenny.