CELTS HONOUR
Brown donates to Miller family
MARTIN O’Neill’s Ireland will kick off their endof-season programme with a warm-up game against Celtic in Glasgow.
The game, a testimonial for captain Scott Brown to mark his 10 years of service with the Scottish Premier League club, will take place on Sunday May 20, just 24 hours after the Scottish Cup final, and precedes international friendlies against France in Paris on May 28, and the USA in Dublin on June 2.
A proportion of the proceeds will go to charities chosen by Brown and to the family of the late former Celtic and Ireland player Liam Miller, who lost his battle with cancer last month at the age of 36.
Brown joined Celtic from Hibs for £4.4million in 2007 and has since won seven Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups.
Last night Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: ‘We will be delighted to take part in this match to honour a great man and a great Celtic captain.
‘Scott has been the most influential player in Scottish football for some time. He gives everything he has to our cause and through his talent and ability has been a major part of Celtic’s success, not only in my time at Celtic but for many years.’
The FAI have said that the Away Ticketing Scheme will be in operation for this game, with the most loyal supporters given priority in the allocation process.
Meanwhile, Ipswich will clarify the future of manager Mick McCarthy before the end of next month.
Reports have suggested the 59-year-old’s six-year spell in charge at Portman Road could end this summer when his contract expires.
Former Ireland boss McCarthy took over a Town side which was bottom of the Championship in 2012 and led them to the play-offs two seasons later.
But the Ipswich fans have become increasingly frustrated in recent campaigns and, with the club currently 10 points off the top six in 12th place with eight matches remaining, speculation about McCarthy’s future has increased.
The club have said in a statement on their website that McCarthy’s situation will be resolved before the earlybird season-ticket deadline on April 30.