algarve diary: part one

DAVID FRIEL in Portugal
FROM Kerrydale Street to Coronation Street….the list of Celebrity Celts keeps growing and growing.

Bradley Walsh, formerly Danny Baldwin in Corrie, is staying close to Celtic’s base in the Algarve and was very complimentary about a club he described as one of the “biggest in the world”.

The amiable actor and comedian, who was a professional footballer with Brentford in the 1980s, plays in Celtic diehard Rod Stewart’s celebrity team, The Vagabonds, and is also friends with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.

An Arsenal supporter, he’s promised to try and take in tonight’s match with Middlesbrough in the Algarve Challenge Cup and will also be chatting to the Celtic View at some point this week.

**********
STAYING with the subject of celebrities with a Celtic connection, there are rumours Ronan Keating may also be heading to Estadio Algarve for tonight’s match against Middlesbrough.

The Irish singer is known to have a real soft spot for Celtic, like most people from the Emerald Isle, and is also currently staying in Portugal and is expected to be in attendance as Celtic take on Premiership side Boro.

If Ronan does show up to watch Celtic along with 1000-plus Hoops fans, is it fair to say the Algarve will be turned into a Bhoyzone? I’ll get my coat.

**********
DAY three of Celtic’s trip to Portugal and the players remain in great spirits. A morning training session was followed by some lunch and rest ahead of tonight’s match.

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s, it’s officially 'scorchio' in the Algarve. However, a real plus point for the Champions is the 9.30pm kick-off time. By then, the weather should have cooled sufficiently to allow for more comfortable conditions.

Celtic’s match is the second of the evening, with Cardiff City and Vitoria Guimaraes meeting at 7.15pm. The Hoops take on Cardiff on Thursday night.

**********
CELTIC supporters tuning in on Channel 67 tonight should also be aware of the unique format of the four-team Algarve Challenge Cup.  The tournament will be a modified league system where teams will get three points for a win and one for a draw.

In addition, one point will be awarded for every goal scored. So, basically a 3-3 draw would get a team the same number of points as a 1-0 victory.

Let’s hope it’s raining goals in Faro tonight as Celts look to get their hands on some silverware.

**********
REMEMBER, Channel 67 will be broadcasting both of Celtic’s matches from the Algarve to ALL Channel 67 subscribers.

The game against Middlesbrough tonight, Tuesday, July 22, kicks off at 9.30pm (Celtic Park time). The programme will start at 9.15pm.

The Cardiff City match on Thursday, July 24 also kicks off at 9.30pm, and we will go on air at 9.15pm.

Esteemed Lisbon Lion Jim Craig will be presenting the show back in the Celtic Park studio and receiving your e-mails on both occasions. You can get in touch with him at comments@celticfc.com