McStay's Maestros sign up their own X-Man for Charity Match
By: Paul Cuddihy on 30 Jul, 2014


JAMES McAvoy enjoys a successful acting career, most recently starring as Charles Xavier in the latest X-Men film. But now he’s preparing for a role that he never imagined he’d get – pulling on the green and white Hoops and running out at Celtic Park.

The actor and Celtic fan has signed up for the MAESTRIO Charity Match on Sunday, September 7, sponsored by Flip, and he is relishing the opportunity to play at his beloved Paradise.

“It will be fantastic,” he told the official Celtic website. “Even if I only get on for five minutes, it’s just an absolute honour to be invited.

“The thing you have to keep in mind is that you’re getting a huge gift and also keep in mind the reason why you’re there.

"So it’s a case of coming along, giving your all and trying as hard as you can, and also trying not to get overwhelmed by it all, and to honour, not just Celtic and Celtic Park, but the whole charity aspect of the occasion.

“We started as a charity and the fact that Celtic have managed to remain connected to those initial roots and the genesis of the club is amazing.

“So in this era when football seems to have become all about money, it’s just good that Celtic can stay connected to their charitable roots and keep doing these special things, and linking up with Rio Ferdinand’s foundation is great as well.”

Not surprisingly, as a Celtic fan James McAvoy is also looking forward to mixing with some of his football heroes, including the Maestro himself.

“Paul McStay looked like it was always so much easier for him on the park than everyone else, and he was always so full of grace,” he said. “

“He could have gone and played for any team and any league in the world where his talent would have been more widespread, but he stayed with Celtic and the Celtic fans have always stayed with him, and it’s just amazing that he’s coming back.”

While this will be James McAvoy’s first appearance for a Celtic team, he’s already had recent experience of the stadium, having been involved in the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games ceremony.

He and Sir Chris Hoy launched a special UNICEF appeal, and it was something that he found very moving.

“I never really expected to be that emotional,” he said. “I just thought I’ll go and do something nice for UNICEF and try and raise some money.

“I was standing in the middle of Celtic Park and it was completely overwhelming. It was very special and hopefully a wee taste of what Celtic Park will be like on September 7.

“We come from a really generous city. It can be hard when it wants to be but it’s also so generous and I’ve always been really aware of that.

“And it will be nice to come back to Glasgow, to the team that I support, and in a sport dominated by money, to see that Celtic are looking out for other people.”

You can be at Paradise to see Paul McStay’s Maestros take on Rio Ferdinand’s All-Stars on Sunday, September 7.

http://www.celticfc.net/news/6350


Celtic FC Foundation
@FoundationCFC            
   
          
Absolutely delighted! James McAvoy playing in the Maestrio match!

Celtic Football Club @celticfc  ·
McStay's Maestros sign up their own X-Man for Charity Match