Football is the most popular sport on the planet and over the last decade or so, the game has exploded with every corner of the globe tuning into games. The English Premier League is watched by billions of enthusiasts around the world but other competitions have also forged their own legion of fans. Take the Scottish Premiership, for example, which is viewed 10,500 miles away in Australia.
Every week, supporters in Oz gather in football pubs to tune into games involving Scottish clubs with rich and storied histories, from Celtic and Rangers to Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian. This article will look at the phenomenon of these watering holes on the other side of the world tuning into the Scottish Premiership.
Scottish Football in Oz
Australia is a nation of sport lovers. From Aussie rules football to rugby and cricket, the country plays and watches these games all-year around. In recent decades, the A-League featuring teams including Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC and Perth Glory has soared in popularity. Therefore, it's little wonder Australian fans have started to pay attention to other leagues. Today, groups gather in football pubs to watch the Scottish Premiership, enjoying the alternate culture that comes through the television screen, from historic grounds and hardy attendances during the cold winter months to the excitement of rivalries and competition.
Followers of the game will also predict the outcome of matches to add an extra thrill to the action. Australians already enjoy slots and casino free spins and now have the option to place bets on Scottish football. This pursuit offers hours of fun and entertainment while offers and promotions highlighted in expert reviews can enhance the overall experience. As Aussies look for ways to enjoy their free time after a busy working week, classic games and football in Scotland while having a drink in a social setting have come to the fore.
Australia's Football Fandom
Australians has access to a wide range of European football on live television broadcasts while platforms like YouTube will also show games from leagues across the continent. The continued globalisation of soccer has made it more accessible than ever before to the point followers in Australia can genuinely and actively support teams in Scotland every week. Rangers and Celtic, based in Glasgow, are among the most successful clubs in world football and have a legion of fans in Oz. Venture to one of the pubs and you'll see a sea of Scottish shirts. The Sydney Celtic Supporters Club, for instance, meet at the Cheers Sports Bar while all league games are regularly shown in venues across Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Aussie's have long followed recommendations on no deposit bonus options to boost their casino play without the usual risks associated with gambling and have started venturing into the world of sports betting. Predicting whether Celtic will win the Old Firm or if Hearts can stay top of the Scottish Premiership table enhances the ways in which they engage and interact with the league. The act of betting ensures they maintain their fandom and keep their interest high from the start of the season right through to its conclusion in May.
Early Starts
Australians following Scottish football show great commitment to the cause, going to the effort to get up in the early hours of the morning to view games. For 3pm kick-offs in the Scottish Premiership, fans in Oz must be in the bar for 2am and so must juggle their work and social life with their fandom.
However, gathering with like-minded individuals when most people are asleep gives fans a sense of belonging while the passion for Scottish football means strong communities have popped up across Australia. The game provides an opportunity for individuals to pursue their passion for Scottish football culture all year around.
The Aussie in Scottish Football Folklore
The Scottish Premiership has hosted a number of Australian footballers who have written their name into the country's soccer folklore.
Perhaps the most famous and iconic incident saw Scott McDonald play a key role in 'Helicopter Sunday'. It was the final day of the 2004/05 season in Scotland and Rangers, second in the table and two points behind leaders and rivals Celtic, were away at Hibernian. McDonald, meanwhile, was 36 miles away and playing upfront for Motherwell against the Bhoys.
With the championship still not decided, a helicopter flew overhead with the trophy, ready to fly to land when the winners had been decided.
Rangers took the lead and Hibs, hopeful of reaching the UEFA Cup even if beaten narrowly, kept ball. Celtic were also winning 1-0 but then the unthinkable happened in the dying stages with just two minutes remaining. Aussie McDonald broke through at Fir Park and equalised before netting an incredible winner just sixty second later. It was an historic moment.
Since then, a number of Australian players have plied their trade in Scotland including Jackson Irvine, Ryan McGowan and Aaron Mooy which has in turn boosted the visibility of the top Scottish league in Oz.
Wrapping Up
Overall, Aussie pubs celebrating Scottish football culture have helped elevate the game's standing around the world and given the locals the chance to experience the matchdays in a similar way to the fans attending at stadiums in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and elsewhere.