YOU’LL NEVER WALK A CLONE
Hoops-mad fan changes his name and sets up a Russian version of his beloved Celtic
Craig McDonald He loves Celtic and Scotland so much that he changed his name and started his own version of his beloved Hoops.
Denis McGoalach shunned big shots CSKA and Spartak Moscow and pledged his allegiance to the Glasgow club aged just four.
Two years ago, he formed Celtic Shatura, an amateur side based 77 miles from Moscow, and modelled themm on the Parkhead club.
Now the Celtic tic clones – who also o wear green and white hoops – are playing in the Russian thi rd division and draw w crowds of more e than 300 for each a ch home game.
Shatura is an n industrial town with a population of about 33,000 people.
Denis claims the e club now have more ore than 100 players at the club’s various teams. ms.
He cited Parkhead founder Brother Wa l f r id a s an inspiration and claims he tries to run his team along the same principles as his heroes. Power stastation worker DeDenisen has been a CelticCeltt fanatic since f irst watching the tteameaa play ing a ScScoScottish Premier LeLeague game on TV in 1995. The 26- yearoldold, who is fluent in EEnglish, said: “I can’t remember the exact gameg but it was a Scottish PremierP League game and I was four. “I fell in love with the club the first time I saw them and have supported them ever since. It’s become my life. When we opened Celtic Shatura FC, we had absolutely nothing and no financial support.
“We grew one step at a time. First we had 30 players, then 40 and now it’s over 100.
“Celtic is more than a club – it’s a family. We’re in contact with a local children’s centre and we try to help them.
“We became champions and, from this year, we start to play in the third division of the Russian championship. It is a huge step for us and our town. In 10 years, who knows?”
Denis said the club’s aim is “to follow Brother Walfrid’s dream and to bring the Celtic way and the idea of charity to Russia”.
Denis has not yet been to Scotland but says he plans a “football vacation” to take in Celtic Park next year.
He met manager Brendan Rodgers and captain Scott Brown when Celtic played Kazakhstan team Astana in the Champions League qualifier in August.
And last month he f lew to Paris to watch Celtic play PSG.
Denis said: “My favourite player is Scott Brown – he’s a strong character. Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor are also favourites as they were grown by Celtic from the academy into the first team.” He added: “People are starting to go to football in our home town now.
“We get about 300 people for our games, which we play at the Energy Stadium.
“It would be my dream to go to Scotland and see Celtic play.
“Next year, I will try to do it. I’d love to visit Celtic Park – it’s a special place.”
A Celtic spokesman said: “It’s fantastic that Denis used Celtic as the inspiration to establish this club which, like ours, aims to make a positive difference to the wider community. We look forward to welcoming him to Celtic Park one day.”