FORMER Celtic defender, Alan Stubbs is the latest name to confirm his place among the Celtic Legends’ squad for the Jock Stein 30th Anniversary Charity Match.
Sponsored by Direct Slating Supplies, the match will take place on Sunday, September 6 (KO 2pm) at East End Park with a squad of Celtic Legends taking on their counterparts from Dunfermline Athletic.
The match commemorates 30 years since the passing of the legendary Jock Stein and all proceeds from this event will be split between Celtic FC Foundation and the Pars’ Foundation, the respective charitable arms of both clubs.
A member of the squad that stopped the 10 in 1998, Alan Stubbs spent five successful years in the Hoops and he spoke to the Celtic website about catching up with familiar faces and why the club will always mean a lot to him.
He said: “It’s a good chance to catch up with the lads again. We had some decent players during my time at Celtic and to play in this game for a great cause makes it that bit more special.
“When I look back on my time at Celtic, it’s with fondness and pride and to pick one stand out memory is too difficult as there are so many.
“The thing about Celtic is that it’s a fantastic club, both when you’re there and when you’re not, and that’s a testament to the fans.”
Despite recently undergoing surgery for a knee problem, Stubbs insists he’ll be ready for September’s game and he was keen to underline that his typical commitment to the cause would be on show at East End Park.
He said:“It’s caught me by surprise a bit as I’ve only recently had a knee operation but it’s a pleasure to be asked and something to build up my fitness for, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“After the op, my knee is feeling good at the moment. I’ll be putting tackles in, they might not be crunching but we’ll see! I’ll certainly give my all and run around as best I can.”
As the current manager of Scottish Championship side Hibernian, one of Jock Stein’s former clubs, Stubbs is fully aware of the reputation and respect that Stein draws from across the footballing world.
Speaking about Jock Stein’s impact on the game, Stubbs said: “It’s easy to remember someone when they were so good. Clearly, he was way ahead of his time with his ideas and style of play.
“He is an iconic figure and as well as having the honour of managing Celtic, he was clearly held in high regard by every club he went to.
“I think that says a lot about him as a manager and as a person and nothing could be more fitting than a match like this.”
Celtic Legends’ Squad So Far
Tom Boyd
Stiliyan Petrov
Tosh McKinlay
Alan Stubbs
Martin Compston
Simon Donnelly
Tickets for the match, priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions, are available ONLINE, by calling 0871 226 1888* or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office.
Matchday Hospitality is available, on a first come, first served basis, in the Purvis Suite at a cost of £45 per person, or supporters can upgrade to a pitch-side box for an additional price of £100 per person.
To make a booking please visit www.dafc.co.uk, contact DAFC on 01383 724295, or [email protected]
Tickets for the dinner are priced at £500 for a table of 10 or £50pp. To make a booking call Celtic FC Foundation on 0141 551 4321 or email [email protected]
* Calls cost 13 pence per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. For customer enquiries relating to existing purchases only, please call 0141 230 1967. Calls charged at standard rate.
