EVERYONE at Celtic and Celtic FC Foundation wish to send their warmest thanks to Borussia Monchengladbach for a donation of €3,000 to support the Foundation and in particular its work with Smithycroft Secondary and Saracen Primary.

During the visit of UEFA Champions League teams to Glasgow it has become a club tradition to welcome the board of the opposing team to a lunch and concert on the day of the match. Celtic FC Foundation is now supporting music in 21 schools and young people from the schools perform for our visitors at these events.

On Borussia Monchengladbach’s visit to Glasgow last month young people from Smithycroft Secondary performed four songs from Sunshine on Leith (their recent school musical) and also the Die Elf Vom Niederrhein, a Borussia Mönchengladbach fans’ hymn.

Everyone present was delighted to see the board of Borussia Mönchengladbach join in with the singing.

Our guests that day were also presented with artwork by Elise Prentice from Smithycroft Secondary and a group of pupils from Saracen Primary. Both pieces reflected images from the history of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Celtic’s Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, said: “We all look forward to welcoming the schools around the UEFA Champions League matches and I’m very grateful to the board of Borussia Monchengladbach for supporting our Foundation and two of our partner schools.

“Smithycroft and Saracen were very warmly received by our visitors, a club which also demonstrates a strong social dimension and I am delighted that the hard work of the pupils and teachers has been recognised and appreciated in this way.”

Evelyn Gibson, Head Teacher of Saracen Primary, said: “It’s a proud moment for the school to be recognised in this way and we send our thanks to everyone at Borussia Monchengladbach.

“We are always delighted to help Celtic on these Champions League occasions and the education projects are not only a great opportunity to showcase the talents of our young people but also engage the whole of the school community, particularly parents.”

Jean Miller, at Smithycroft Secondary, said: “We would like to send sincere thanks to Borussia Monchengladbach. Our young people had a great time preparing for their visit and being there on the day.

“Thanks also to Celtic FC Foundation for their continued efforts to bring world-class opportunities into the school lives of our pupils.”

Tony Hamilton, Chief Executive of Celtic FC Foundation, added: “This is a magnificent gesture and we are very grateful. I must also thank Dr Hilary Wilson, Danny McGrath, Kevin Guthrie and Gerard Burns for all of their support for our education work and in particular for helping the young people with their music and art for the visit of Borussia Monchengladbach.”