IT is a partnership that has not faded over time. And while it’s 16 years since Tommy Johnson donned the Hoops in earnest, he is delighted to commit himself to the Henrik’s Heroes v Lubo’s Legends Match on Sunday, May 28 (KO: 2pm) at Paradise.
“It’s good to come back,” he told the official Celtic website. “We maybe don’t see each other as much as we like but we are on the phone and we have a bond. It is going to be great to see everyone again.”
Johnson is now Head of Recruitment at Blackburn Rovers and visited Henrik when over in Sweden on work duties at the end of last year.
“It is always good to have a natter with him,” he said. And the experience of playing with Henrik and Lubo was one of the highlights of the Geordie striker’s career.
“It’s 20 years since I signed for Celtic and it has flown by,” he said. “Our era was unbelievable, and nobody expected to do what we did. Martin O’Neill came in and we just steamrolled teams. He gave us so much confidence. We were and are a close-knit group.”
His time at Celtic was plagued by injury but Johnson had one historic moment, scoring the goal that won the league in 2001.
“It was great day,” he admitted. “The Celtic fans always remember that. I had injuries and did not play as much as I would have liked but all that is put on the back burner because everyone just remembers that goal.
“I was 27 when I signed and it didn’t work out at first and you don’t want to leave as failure. A treble helps stop that.”
And he is a committed supporter of Celtic FC Foundation. “The Foundation is extraordinary. Celtic is a family club where charity is important. Isn’t great we have a fun and raise money for people who are not as fortunate as us?”
Henrik’s Heroes versus Lubo’s Legends will take place at Celtic Park on Sunday, May 28, 2017, with a 2pm KO.
Tickets are on general sale, on a first come first served basis – maximum of 10 per person – priced at £12 for adults and £6 for concessions*.
Tickets are available to purchase online at www.celticfc.net, by calling 0871 226 1888** or by visiting the Celtic Ticket Office. Rail Seating does not apply to this match.
Premium tickets (£30) and corporate packages (£135) are also available by calling 0871 226 1888** (Option 4) or emailing [email protected]
Net proceeds of the game will be devoted to Celtic FC Foundation, a charity aiming to uphold and promote the founding principles of our football club. The four priorities are to improve health, promote equality, encourage learning and tackle poverty and the Foundation have a strong track record of delivering successful community-based projects.
Some of the funds will be used to extend existing projects such as the award-winning ‘Ability Counts’ – a project aimed at children and young people who live with Down’s Syndrome or Autism. We will also assist with Community Care for Dementia through a series of initiatives. Finally, in partnership with Mary’s Meals, we will build 67 Kitchens in developing countries where hunger and extreme poverty are claiming lives prematurely every single day.
* Concessions 65+/Under 16s.
** Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Booking fees apply online and via our sales line.
