Source: Team_Talk
Fenway keen to stage Old Firm clash
Celtic and Rangers could play their first Old Firm game outside Scotland this summer at Fenway Park, the historic home of the Boston Red Sox.[LNB] Red Sox chief operating officer Sam Kennedy has confirmed that negotiations are under way with match promoter Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to bring the Glasgow rivals to Boston for a pre-season friendly on July 21.[LNB]Kennedy added that other cities in the US and Canada were in the running to stage what they hope will be a lucrative fixture between two clubs with big fan bases around the world, but he will be travelling to Glasgow to watch the Scottish Premier League Old Firm clash on May 4 and is hoping to seal the deal during his visit.[LNB]"We're aggressively pursuing the match," Kennedy said. "We don't have anything confirmed but it's something we're trying to put together for July 21.[LNB]"We recognise it's a very special match between two very historic teams and the thought is that a very historic venue like Fenway Park would be appropriate to host that rivalry.[LNB]"We're hopeful that we can make it a reality."[LNB]Fenway opened in 1912 and has a maximum capacity of 37,402.[LNB]Kennedy added: "We are hoping to finalise a deal with CAA because there are offers from other places that they could play this first game between them off Scottish soil.[LNB]"So we're humbled that they would consider doing it in America and we would be honoured to host it.[LNB]"We've had lots of great rivalries with the Red Sox and the (New York) Yankees, we've had the (Philadelphia) Flyers and the (Boston) Bruins play an NHL game here this winter and a great college rivalry between Boston University and Boston College so the concept of a great rivalry in a sport that's not normally played at Fenway is attractive to us.[LNB]"For the right blue-chip event we're eager to demonstrate our versatility at Fenway but, first and foremost we're a baseball venue, although we do have an obligation to put on other large scale events and we certainly think this fits that mould."[LNB]Kennedy added that a prompt decision would be made.[LNB]"We're hoping in the next week or two that we would have something to formally announce if we can get it done," he added.[LNB]"I only know about our discussions. I do know there is interest from other cities but I wouldn't say there's a bidding war, just healthy negotiations going on right now."
