Squads confirmed for Celtic Park fundraiser
Two sets of European heavyweights are dusting off their boots for a good cause this weekend, as Celtic Legends take on Manchester United Legends at a packed Celtic Park. It’s football with a purpose: funds raised will support the Celtic FC Foundation’s work across Glasgow and beyond.
On the home bench, there’s a management trio with deep ties to Parkhead: Brian McClair, Tom Boyd, and Tosh McKinlay. McClair is a neat subplot in himself—idol at Manchester United, but a former Celtic forward too—now helping marshal a squad that blends eras and playing styles in green and white.
Here’s how the confirmed Celtic squad shapes up.
- Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Artur Boruc
- Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Andreas Hinkel, Glenn Loovens, Mikael Lustig, Charlie Mulgrew, Lee Naylor
- Midfielders/Forwards: Stiliyan Petrov, Tom Rogic, Shaun Maloney, Georgios Samaras, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
There’s plenty of narrative in that lineup. Hart’s leadership remains loud and clear, while Boruc brings the showman edge Celtic Park remembers well. At the back, the mix of ball-playing full-backs and no-nonsense centre-halves feels tailor-made for a legends game. Further up the pitch, Rogic’s glide through tight spaces contrasts nicely with the direct running of Samaras and the aerial presence of Vennegoor of Hesselink. And Petrov’s inclusion will resonate—his story of resilience has become part of the wider fabric of these charity fixtures.
Across the touchline, Manchester United’s traveling party is full of Old Trafford pedigree: Mikael Silvestre, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha, and Dimitar Berbatov are all confirmed. Expect more names to be involved on the day, as these matches often see late additions and rolling cameos.
- Mikael Silvestre — versatile defender with pace and experience
- Michael Carrick — metronome in midfield, still sees the game two steps ahead
- Darren Fletcher — energy, organization, and that tidy forward pass into the channels
- Louis Saha — sharp movement, clean finishes, loves the near-post run
- Dimitar Berbatov — touch of velvet, a master of timing and disguise
On paper, you can already sketch the clashes. Carrick and Fletcher controlling tempo against Petrov and Rogic’s creativity. Saha looking to pull off the shoulder of Loovens or Mulgrew. Berbatov floating into pockets that make defenders second-guess. And then there’s the theatre of it all—Lustig overlapping, Maloney cutting inside, Samaras drifting wide to isolate a full-back.
What fans can expect and why it matters
Legends matches aren’t about crushing tackles or tactical straitjackets; they’re about rhythm, smiles, and little flashes of genius. Expect rolling substitutions, a friendly tone, and plenty of moments tailored for the crowd—backheels, no-look passes, maybe a daring chip if the goalkeepers allow it. It’s entertainment built around memory and connection.
But the cause isn’t soft-focus. The Celtic FC Foundation puts funds back into real, local work. Recent initiatives have included hot meal programs for people facing hardship, employability and education support for young adults, and targeted mental health projects. The Foundation’s “Ability Counts” sessions—supporting children and adults with additional needs—have become a steady part of its calendar, while community outreach at Celtic Park has offered warm spaces and food during tough winter months. Money raised here keeps those doors open.
There’s history between these clubs that goes beyond results. Over the years, Celtic and Manchester United have shared charity dates, testimonials, and friendlies that sold the same message: two sets of passionate supporters can fill a stadium and still find common ground off the pitch. That’s what this weekend taps into—shared respect, old rivalries handled with a smile, and a chance to make a tangible difference.
For families, the draw is simple. You get a parade of familiar faces in one afternoon, the photos you missed first time around, and the chance to show kids exactly why these names still matter. For the players, it’s a platform to reconnect with the stands and with each other. Expect a mix of laughs and competitive pride—once the whistle goes, nobody wants to be on the losing side, even in a charity game.
Form guide? It’s nostalgia, not numbers. Fitness will vary, so managers will lean on rotations. The balance of the Celtic squad suggests sturdy shape at the back with licence for the front five to roam. United’s midfield brains—Carrick, Fletcher—will try to slow and steer the game into the right zones. A moment of Berbatov calm or a Rogic glide could tilt it either way.
As for involvement, the model is straightforward: matchday proceeds and donations channel into Foundation projects. These events also act as spotlights—raising awareness, pulling more volunteers into the net, and opening doors for partnerships that outlast a single afternoon’s football.
Keep an eye on the small battles: Hart’s distribution under a playful press; how Mulgrew and Lustig deal with Saha’s darts; whether Samaras finds joy off the left; and who claims free-kick duty with so many technicians on the grass. And yes, there’s a good chance Boruc will give the crowd a moment to remember. He usually does.
By the final whistle, what lingers won’t be the scoreline so much as the sense of occasion—a big stadium, familiar songs, and two storied clubs putting their weight behind community work that never makes the back pages. That’s the real win the Foundation is playing for.