It's A Rockin' Role

Big screen Bhoys take to the Paradise stage for Henrik v Lubo match

 

HE’S back for an encore. James McAvoy, Celtic fan and one of the world’s top actors, will lead the line of non-football stars to feature in Celtic FC Foundation’s end of season charity match at Paradise on May 28.

The Glasgow actor has worked with the best in the business, garnering a host of ‘medals’, including Olivier and Golden Globe nominations and London Standard and Bafta best acting awards but says there is something special about a performance at Paradise.

He said: “I have played at Celtic Park just the once. That alone would have been a dream come true but to stand on the pitch again, never mind play there, is a supreme privilege.”

As his career has soared through brilliant performances in films such as Atonement, the X-Men series and Filth, James has remained a dedicated Celtic fan.

He said of Henrik and Lubo: “They came in unheralded and became two of our finest who could have played anywhere and for anyone. They also proved, along with Neil Lennon, to be my favourite players.”

James has worked with directors such as Danny Boyle and M Night Shyamalan, but how does that compare to pulling on the boots beside Henrik and Lubo and going out to face a crowd without a script?

“It’s the same as acting, to be honest,” he said. “You could let nerves get the better of you but then you wouldn’t enjoy it.

“As long as you’re not trying to look cool or be the best, you can enjoy it for what it is. That is, a guy who cannae play getting to play at Paradise. It’s win, win.”