The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Wednesday, December 27, 1967 — Having failed to persuade Celtic to go to Bulawayo next year as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, Mr George Kerr, secretary of the Rhodesian Football Association, has arrived in Glasgow in an effort to try to talk Rangers into going in their place.

The opposition would be provided by either Real Madrid (Spain), Inter Milan (Italy) or Benfica (Portugal).

Mr Kerr has also been in touch with Queen’s Park Rangers, asking the famous amateur club to come out separately.

The Hampden Park club are interested. Their president said: “We are extremely interested. But because of the political situation, we will have to be guided by the Scottish Football Association. However, if this could be satisfactorily dealt with, we would be happy to go.”

He added: “I feel that sport and politics are apart, and I have asked Mr Kerr to forward complete details of the tour.”

Mr Kerr had contacted Rangers, offering top class financial guarantees, full expenses and a week’s holiday. We have already made advances to Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Benfica, one of whom we hope will accept.

“But the real attraction would be Rangers. They would get a wonderful welcome from Bulawayo, as the City is heavily populated by Scots.”

Mr Kerr has been asked by Rangers to put his offer in writing, and it will be discussed later this week.

Meanwhile, Queen’s Park are awaiting the arrival of a young Rhodesian to whom they are going to give trials. He is Tommy White (18) from Salisbury.