Defiant Giovanni van Bronckhorst has doubled down on his backing for Rangers’ involvement in the Sydney Super Cup amid fan outrage.
The tournament has been met with an angry response with the rivalry with Celtic being taken out of Scotland for the first time.
Supporters made their feelings known from the terraces at McDiarmid Park in the win over St Johnstone, with the Union Bears producing a banner stating "Money over morals. No d£rby friendlies."
While the Dutchman initially backed Rangers involvement in the tournament, he was asked ahead of the clash with Aberdeen if his stance had changed.
Van Bronckhorst once again threw his weight behind the friendly fixture card – and backed the board's call to take derby day on the road.
He said: "My take is, of course, we know there’s going to be a big gap during the World Cup.
"I know the club is looking for friendly games, not only in that window but also in the international windows we have and it’s an opportunity for the club to go there, to go and play for our fans who are based in Australia.
"The club made a decision to go there because they do everything in the best interests of the club so, for me, you just have to respect that decision and play a good couple of friendlies in Australia in November."
The announcement of the overseas Old Firm clash has added to the unrest in the stands at Ibrox amid a nervy Premiership title race.
But Van Bronckhorst has urged the support to rally behind the side from the terraces during Saturday's clash with Aberdeen.
He continued: "The message (to fans) is clear, we need all the support we have which the supporters gave us last Wednesday.
"Of course, they are entitled to their opinions which is ok.
"On the other hand, you see they weren’t happy with the friendly obviously but they also supported us.
"In the end, we have to be successful, they are more than capable of supporting the team because we want to be successful this season.
"I have no doubt that the supporters will be fully behind us tomorrow against Aberdeen so I think that’s all that matters.
"They showed they’re not happy about the friendly in November but they are still backing us as a team and as a club."
