CELTIC, CELTIC, THAT'S THE TEAM FOR ME…

Rohan Marley’s love of the Hoops came from his musician dad, Bob, and it’s a love that ensures to this day

- TONY CONNELLY

DREAMING of playing for Celtic is a commonly held aspiration for many youngsters in Scotland, but less common is for a boy from the Caribbean with a music icon for a father to share in that dream. However, that is the case with Bob Marley’s son.

Rohan Marley grew up watching old tapes of Celtic his father had recorded, and even tried to get a trial with the club as a teenager.

Bob Marley is known throughout the world as a singer, songwriter, pioneer of Reggae and a cultural icon, and his musical influence continues to reverberate throughout the world decades after his passing.

Many of his children have followed in his footsteps, the most famous of whom is his first-born son, Ziggy Marley, who has eight Grammy Awards to his name.

It’s no secret that football was a huge part of Bob Marley’s identity too and, like many fathers, he shared that love with his young children.

In an exclusive interview with the Celtic View, Rohan Marley explained: “My father loved football. He knew everything about football, he watched it all the time and he loved European football. He played all the time as well, I can remember playing with him when we were young.

“My granny actually had a tape of me and two of my brothers, Ziggy and Steve, playing keepy-up with him. We used to stand in a circle and try to juggle the ball with him.”

Bob Marley openly talked about his love for the beautiful game in many interviews throughout his life and was a fan of Brazilian club, Santos.