Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking after a testimonial for James Forrest was announced by the club.
The Hoops will take on La Liga giants Athletic Club in a high-profile match at Celtic Park on Tuesday 1 August at 7:30pm. (Celtic)
The game will honour Forrest, who has been on our books for over 20 years, as well as forming part of Athletic’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
The club say that Forrest has decided that a “significant proportion” of the money raised will go to charity, with the Kilbryde Hospice and Celtic Foundation benefitting.
It’s sure to be a great night and one that Postecoglou is really looking forward to.
“James has been a hugely important figure to Celtic across so many years, contributing massively to such a sustained period of success for the club and he is really deserving of this great honour,” the boss said in the club statement.
“Although he has achieved so much he is someone who remains so humble and unassuming, continuing to quietly get on with his job and striving every day to do all he can to bring more and more success to our supporters.
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“I am sure this match will be a great occasion for James and the club. It will be our first match back at Celtic Park after the summer break and we hope as many supporters as possible will be able to attend.
“We look forward to welcoming Athletic Club to Glasgow and we are sure they will provide a great test for us, but above all we look forward to a special night, honouring someone who has given us all so much.”
Celtic have already announced three other pre-season fixtures.
We’ll face Yokohama F. Marinos on July 19, Gamba Osaka on July 22 and Wolves in South Korea on July 26.
Forrest’s big night arrives once we return on August 1 with our league campaign getting underway on August 5 or 6.
It’s a tasty looking schedule and we’ll surely have more to announce in the coming weeks.
Adult tickets for the game will cost £22 with concessions priced at £14.
In other news, the Rangers chief executive has been asked about tickets for Celtic fans