Former Celt Derek Whyte is looking forward to welcoming two generations of hoops to Dubai this week.
Whyte has carved out a successful career in broadcasting in Dubai with Showtime Arabia but likes nothing better than to pull on the hoops and meet up with former team-mates.
The Emirates Soccer 7’s begin this week and with Whyte involved it’s no surprise that the Celtic legends will take part as well as a youth side led by Stevie Frail.
It doesn’t take much time to accept an invite out to Dubai with the organisers delighted to bring out Paolo Maldini and Paolo di Canio in the AC Milan Legends side with Emirates sponsoring Milan next season.
Whyte said: “This is a great event socially for the older lads and a great experience for the younger players.
“They’ll get the chance to train in great facilities and play against the best young players from different countries.
“Seven aside football is a bit different but it concentrates on the skill side of the game.
“This is a massive event in Dubai and something that a lot of planning goes into. It’s great to see Celtic involved and there are plenty of supporters out here looking forward to it.”
Whyte played in the Tommy Burns tribute match last May where various generations of former players got together to honour the memor of the former Celtic manager.
The prospect of a get together in Dubai will always be popular with Whyte looking forward to hosting some of his former team-mates.
He added: “These events are great for lads like myself, we’ve got big Pierre and Regi Blinker coming over from Holland and I’m looking forward to seeing Gerry Britton and the other lads.
“The football is taken seriously and pulling on a Celtic jersey again means a lot to all of us.
“There’s a good balance to the competitive and social side in the legends event but you can’t take it easy if you are playing against Di Canio at any age”.
Emirates 7’s event