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A die-hard Rangers fan travelled more than 10,000 miles to take his pensioner dad on a surprise trip to Ibrox for their first ever Old Firm match together.

Life-long Gers fan John Palmer, 41, had just touched down at Glasgow Airport - on Friday the 13th - when he got the word that the fixture on Sunday had been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The dad-of-two, who works in the corporate emergency travel business in Brisbane, Australia, was left gutted when a fellow passenger showed him a message on his phone to say that the match was off.

He had secretly planned for six months to take his dad John senior, 72, to Ibrox on Sunday.

John said:"I heard it was off when I walked through customs on Friday morning.

"I actually watched the Rangers game in Europe on the flight at 34,000 feet which for me was the early hours of Friday morning.

"So I was sure the Old Firm game would not be affected. I had great hope it was never going to get canned.

He continued: "You can imagine, I felt gutted and a bit stupid paying $AUS 2,000 to come all this way in this climate.

"I booked this six months ago as a complete surprise.

"Me and my dad have been Rangers fans all our lives. But we'd never gone together for an Old Firm game.

(Image: Copyright Mark Anderson)

"Just never managed it.

"We've been season ticket holders at different times, but never made it to the Old Firm."

John enlisted the help of his relatives to help with the surprise visit.

His niece, Neve, 17, arranged match tickets for the father and son duo.

John Sr and wife Mary, 65, had no idea of the secret arrangements.

John Jr said: "I can laugh about it now. But being honest, there was a minute when I was waiting to clear customs when I was alone and I did cry a wee bit.

"I was really emotional. I all honesty I don't think I''ll be able to do it again.

"It's hard to get time off work and with a mortgage and a family, I can't really afford the $2,000 that I'll need to do it again.

"I actually work in corporate emergency travel, so now I can say I've actually felt what it is like to be one of my clients."

Under new coronavirus rules announced by Australian Premier Scott Morrison travel home for John will not be straightforward either.

He should still be able to get his flight on Wednesday.

But on arrival back home John will face two weeks of quarantine.

And he might have some explaining to do to his Aussie wife Sherrie, 43, and his young daughter and son.

John said: "She thought I was crazy in the first place. Now I don't know what to say to her.

(Image: Copyright Mark Anderson)

"To be fair to her though, despite her being Australian, she does now understand what football means to the average Scotsman.

John Sr told the Record: "I was taking John to Ibrox from when he was wee. For some reason we just never made it to a Rangers v Celtic game together.

"It was a huge surprise when he walked the house.

"For about 20 seconds I thought it was his identical twin. Then it dawned on me.

"Despite everything with the game being off, it was still great for me and his mum to see him.

"John said we might never get to an Old Firm game together after this experience.

"But I just say, never say never."