Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jay: My pride in the Lisbon Lions
Hollywood star makes movie about Celtic
A HOLLYWOOD star who made a film about his love for Celtic has told of his pride in the Lisbon Lions. How to Train Your Dragon actor Jay Baruchel – who made a pilgrimage from his home in Canada to Ireland and Glasgow for the movie – said the 1967 European Cup win was one of the greatest sporting triumphs of all time. Jay, 35, said: “Eleven guys from the same city conquered the whole of European football and for millions of people around the world 50 years later, it remains a defining moment in their lives. “It is pretty unlikely that a ‘local team’ will ever achieve something like this again. “It is easily one of the greatest sporting achievements we will ever see. Another moment was the revelation of Henrik Larsson. “And today, with Brendan Rodgers’ Invincibles, it looks like we are on the cusp of another iconic period in the club’s history as they go for an unbeaten treble. “So what better time to celebrate being part of the Celtic family than at the 50th anniver- sary of the Lisbon Lions and the dawn of an exciting era for fans around the world?” Jay’s new film Celtic Soul will be screened at select cinemas from Monday. It follows the actor – famous for roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Million Dollar Baby and Tropic Thunder – as he realises his dream of seeing Celtic in action at Celtic Park. He said: “Growing up in a large Canadian family, we were always made aware of our Irish heritage. “You can be a lifelong Celtic fan and still only know a fraction of the amazing history of this club. “I got completely carried away in the heritage, culture and the Irish immigrant saga from which Celtic emerged.”