Dave Brennan’s amazing weekend Playing for Celtic

When Dave Brennan took up a teaching job in Hong Kong last August the thought of playing for Celtic probably wasn’t on his mind.

Settling into a new country, finding his feet and joining a local football club to ensure a competitive kickabout every weekend were the priorities.

The annual Hong Kong Sevens event is the footballing highlight of the year in the former colony with the appearance of Andy Cole and his celebrity veterans catching the attention of the locals.

Celtic’s defence of the title won last season against Rangers was effected by youth team commitments which left Danny McGrain’s side a man short and opened the door for Brennan to enjoy the experience of a lifetime as a weekend Celtic player.

The school teacher admitted: “I hadn’t made it into the Hong Kong Football Club side for the sevens event but on the Thursday night Celtic were looking for an extra player.

“Danny McGrain’s son plays in the same club as me and I was asked if I could join the Celtic squad.”

Brennan’s playing ‘career’ hadn’t gone further than London Sunday league, turning out for the Roving Reporters, a team founded by John Motson.

The anticipation and excitement of a weekend playing for Celtic was mixed with a little anxiety over being accepted into a group of budding professionals ten years younger.

<pictured with James Keatings

Whilst the Celtic squad acclimatised to their new environment and put in a training session on the Friday afternoon Brennan was at school working on keeping his nerves at bay.

On the Friday night the new bhoy met his team-mates and was instantly put at ease before the big kick-off to the tournament with holders Celtic facing Hong Kong FC, Brennan’s club throughout the rest of the season

“I was a little bit nervous about meeting these potential stars of the future but they were very welcoming to me,” the school teacher Celt admitted. “It was good to meet them for something to eat the night before and introduce myself.

“I had a chat with all of the players on the Friday, Danny was very welcoming as well so it went great, it was a real privilege to be part of it all.

“Playing alongside them was an incredible experience, as an amateur player you don’t often get to see professionals close up, despite their age they were all so confident on the ball, they never panicked whatever the pass.

<Dave marvels at Daniele Giordano’s warm up

“Declan Gallagher looked very good, with the nature of the sevens tournament he seemed to get all over the pitch. He impressed me a lot and James Keatings looked really comfortable on the ball but I was overwhelmed by the standard of the whole team.

“I’ve been speaking to everyone about the tournament whether they’ve asked me or not. At work or at the club I’ve been telling them all about it, that sort of thing doesn’t happen often so you have to make the most of it.”

In the tournament Celtic had been drawn alongside Birmingham City, Hong Kong FC and the brilliantly named Happy Valley.

McGrain’s side started off with a 2-0 win over Hong Kong FC but draws against Happy Valley and Birmingham meant a quarter-final clash with Rangers in the knock-out stage.

Brennan picks up the story: “It was strange lining up against Hong Kong FC in the first match, that’s my club but I only play with the third team.

“Celtic got two goals ahead and I got on for the last thirty seconds so you could say that it was a fleeting appearance but getting on the pitch was great. Against Happy Valley and Birmingham I never got on.

“Before the Birmingham match it was known that if we didn’t win we’d be playing Rangers who had dominated their group.

“We went all out to beat Birmingham, they went a goal up but equalised. Celtic were the better side but couldn’t get a winning goal so it set up a Celtic-Rangers match in the last eight.

“There were a few injuries in the Birmingham match. I was worried that they might not be fit for the next day but it was exciting realising that I would be involved in a Celtic-Rangers game.

< Matty Hughes in action v Ajax

“I didn’t get on the pitch against Rangers but it was still great to watch although disappointing that Rangers ran out the winners.

“There was a bit of extra pressure on the players for a Celtic-Rangers game. Within the stadium there was a Celtic section and a Rangers section and they were vocal which added extra spice to the match.

“There was more nervousness about before that match but Danny was very encouraging to the players and told them to go out and do what they do best.

“He told them to retain the ball, it was a hot day and the players tried to play their best. It wasn’t to be however because the Rangers side was very strong.”

That defeat saw Celtic drop out of the main event and into the consolation Shield giving Brennan the chance to make an impact in his brief Celtic career.

“The next match was against Tai Po who play in the Chinese league,” he added. “Once we went 3-0 up and I got on and really enjoyed it.

“That game ended 4-0 and a lot of the people at Hong Kong FC were watching and it was novel to hear my name being chanted and others yelling at the Celtic players to pass the ball to me.

<Paul Slane shoots v Happy Valley

“I should have scored in that match but unfortunately I missed a nice opportunity, Callum McGregor squared the ball to me and I snapped at a shot that went wide. That would have been something to tell the grandchildren about.

“That win put is into the final against Ajax and they were a very good side, it was the final so there was a bit of pressure on. I was excited on the sidelines hoping to get on but I never got a chance. Ajax were a good side and deservedly won.”

As well as having memories to remember for a lifetime Brennan also has the best of Nike kit to wear when he turns up for his weekly training sessions with the Hong Kong FC third XI.

He added: “Danny gave me some of the kit, I’ve got a home and away shirts, shorts and socks and that was very generous of them.

“Out of the Scottish clubs I always followed Celtic, I’m a West Brom fan so when Tony Mowbray went there I was keeping a closer look and I’ll be looking out to see some of the lads who were out here featuring in the team next year.

“It would be great to see the boys progress, I really wish them well, they couldn’t have been friendlier to me.

“The weekend was incredible from start to finish, everyone at Celtic was fantastic to me, hopefully some of the lads can make a big impact in the game and if they do I’ll certainly be reminding my mates again about my weekend as a Celtic player!”

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