Milner lines up Celtic Park charity match

Liverpool’s James Milner says he has recruited a lot of “top names” for a charity match at Celtic Park in aid of cancer charities.

The foundations of Milner, former Aston Villa team-mate Stiliyan Petrov, who suffered from acute leukaemia, and Celtic FC have organised ‘A Match for Cancer’ on September 8, during the first international break of the 2017/18 season.

Former Celtic academy player Andrew Robertson will likely be on Scotland duty himself at the time, but he played a significant part in Milner’s choice of venue.

“I have played twice at Celtic Park – once in a pre-season match when I was at Newcastle and once for England. But I feel I know Celtic well as Robbo never stops going on about them,” Milner said.

“He never lets up about Celtic. I thought I was bad going on about Leeds, who are my team, but it’s Celtic, Celtic, Celtic non-stop with him. I am well-drilled about Celtic, the club and its history. I try to wind him up but he just comes back with more.”

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, December 30, 2017: Liverpool’s Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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The 32-year-old has likely used contacts from his time at Leeds, Newcastle, Villa, Manchester City and indeed Liverpool as he looks to assemble a star-studded squad.

“I have made a few calls and big names are delighted at the prospect of coming to Paradise, as Robbo insists I call it. Be assured. Top names are coming,” he teased. “Obviously Stan and I played together at Aston Villa so I know very well his fight against leukaemia.”

“We were talking about Stan’s foundation and mine doing something together and the idea of a match came up. The obvious choice was Celtic. Stan told me what a great club they are and how everything is organised to the highest level by Celtic FC Foundation.

“We also know how fanatical the fans are and how they support charity. I know what a big club it is – and not just because of Robbo – because I have talked down the years with people who have played for it.”

MARIBOR, SLOVENIA – Tuesday, October 17, 2017: Liverpool’s James Milner during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between NK Maribor and Liverpool at the Stadion Ljudski vrt. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Milner took the opportunity to explain why he set up his foundation, revealing that his goal is to ensure underprivileged children have the chance to play sport and that he gets “immense satisfaction” from his work.

“Sport can makes such a difference in people’s lives,” he said. “It can help give people a purpose or give them an outlet when things seem hopeless.

“It is so important to get young people involved in sport and we do that with Leeds Rhinos, the rugby league team, Liverpool Football Club and others. Some children can’t afford to go to sports camps and we pay for them to do that. It makes a difference to them.

“I basically started the foundation because I wanted to use my profile as a footballer and do some good with it. I get immense satisfaction from it, though it can be hard work. But it’s not about me. It’s about how others can be helped. It is not about looking good. It is about the causes, the lives and how we manage to change things.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com