A LEAGUE chief Danny Townsend reckons the controversial Celtic vs Rangers match in Australia will be "wildly successful" - and could be a sell-out.

The Glasgow rivals will travel Down Under in November to take part in the Sydney Super Cup at the 83,500-seater Accor Stadium.

And Townsend, who currently works at Sydney FC, reckons the event could lead to Celtic and Rangers returning for future fixtures.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "A sell-out is entirely possible. There is the Ange factor, for sure. He is a popular figure down here and someone our country is really proud of.

"He went from the A-League to the J-League and now has a role at such an influential world club like Celtic.

"But Rangers have a huge following as well, by sheer virtue of the fact that Australia is built on waves of migrant population for the last 200 years.

"For every Scotsman I know in Sydney, one Celtic man is matched by one Rangers and that's the beauty of that rivalry.

"There is just an enormous population base of Scottish people who have longed to see their favourite teams play in Australia."

Both Celtic and Rangers fans have hit out at the decision to travel for the friendly match.

A Celtic banner lofted a Parkhead read: "We're not half of anything.

"*Unless there's money to be made.

"Shove your 'Old Firm' friendly up your a***."

While Rangers fans on the trip to McDiarmid Park hoisted a sign which read: "Money over morals. No derby friendlies."

And despite the backlash from fans over the friendly tournament, Townsend hinted that the clubs could return should the event be a success as expected.

He added: "With all these things, you never say never. I am sure this will be wildly successful and that the two teams will be back."