Albert Murray proudly lists Willie Wallace, Paul McStay and Scott McDonald as close friends. 

There is a sparkle in his eye as he gets ready to talk about Celtic. He's proud to be associated with all of the famous Hoops names from the past, yet there is one name that doesn't sit quite right with him and never will. That is president.

Murray is in charge of the Sydney City Celtic Supporters Club. It is a position that he has held for two years. 

He is akin to a Bertie Auld type and he never tires of spreading the gospel of the Bhoys to anybody prepared to listen. Murray is usually armed with a bag which contains anything from embroidered CSC polo shirts to t-shirts and badges.

He said: "I am a people person and the word President doesn't sit well on my shoulders. I love the interaction between fellow Celtic supporters and I would rather buy you a drink than receive one. I don't mean that in a big-headed way.

"Celtic never leaves you. It is in your DNA. You don't choose the club. It chooses you. It is hard to explain my love for Celtic. I am not a psychologist but it is something that is ingrained in you. I am proud to know the likes of Willie Wallace, Paul McStay and Scott McDonald.

"McStay is such a low-key person and he rarely does interviews, but he always gets involved whenever there is a charity night involving our club. That's the mark of the man."

Nothing has delighted Murray more than seeing his 'home town' bathed in a sea of green and white during the Sydney Super Cup. This is all because of one man and that is Ange Postecoglou.

"Now that Postecoglou is at Celtic, the interest is off the charts," he continued.

"When the club announced they were coming here for the Sydney Cup, everyone was buzzing. It was finally a chance for all the fans who live in Australia to watch their team play.

"The Ange factor is massive. We’ve signed up so many members recently from all different types of backgrounds. When we ask them what they know about Celtic, the answer is always the same, 'Ange’. 

"He is such a big box office draw. We’ve always had a large interest in Celtic from the fans who are in the city, whether it’s first, second or third generation, but the current manager has taken it to another level altogether."

 Once it was official that the tournament was taking place, Murray braced himself for an invasion of the Sydney City CSC's base - Scruffy Murphy’s Bar This is where Hoops supporters gather in the early hours of the morning every weekend to watch their heroes in action.

"The good thing about Sydney is that there are places that will stay open to allow you to watch the club," he explained

"It can be two or three in the morning when you are watching a Celtic game."

Celtic Way:

Murray originally hails from Belfast but has spent the last 42 years of his life in Australia. He beams with pride at the fact the Sydney City CSC celebrated its 40th anniversary recently. They raised £30,000 for notable worthy charitable causes in the process.

Like Postecoglou's football mantra 'We Never Stop', the Sydney Celtic Supporters Club President insists they will keep donating because it is in their DNA.

He said: "We had an auction and this just illustrates the calibre of people that are in the Sydney City CSC.

"Ange donated one of his famous jumpers to the club. We got it signed and framed, and one guy bid $6000 for it. He then handed it straight back to us to auction again.  

"There was a guy that came to the club from Perth in Scotland for the 40th anniversary celebrations and he went round with the bucket and collected money for the two young barmen serving drinks on the night.

"The barmen didn't understand and he explained that when he goes to the games back in Scotland, he does a collection for the bus driver at the end. They got around $300 each and they were totally blown away."

Under Murray's stewardship, it would appear that the Sydney City CSC operates a bit like Celtic itself. For all intents and purposes, they are more than just a club.

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