SWEATY, SUNBURNED AND PISSED UP

Last updated : 08 May 2005 By Editor

Hopefully this is untrue but taken from today's The Scotsman

Roy Keane’s affection for Celtic has been expressed often enough in public to be accepted as the genuine article. But, in the past week, it has deepened into an even more intensely supportive allegiance for reasons other than natural affinity.

Keane and his Manchester United team-mates are hoping desperately that the Scottish champions will cling to their title in the next two nerve-shredding weeks because Martin O’Neill’s side are due at Old Trafford on 3 August to play the Irishman’s testimonial match.

"They’re all on tenterhooks down here.

"Obviously, Roy and the lads want Celtic to come here as champions. They thought it was all over and they could relax when Celtic won at Ibrox, but now they’re having to go back and look out the brown trousers."

Keane should be re-assured that the Parkhead side’s status will have no bearing on the enormous number of fans they are likely to take to the match. As Ryan Giggs - like many before him - discovered when he was the last beneficiary of their company in 2001, Celtic supporters have a long-standing concord with United and a willingness to make the pilgrimage to the Theatre of Dreams that transcend such baubles as a league championship trophy.