Simon Lynch will turn the clock back tomorrow when he walks out at Celtic Park.
In May 2000 he was a relatively unknown striker hoping to make his mark in the first team as the Kenny Dalglish era ended with all eyes on Henrik Larsson making his comeback after a horrific leg break against Lyon.
This time Lynch won’t have ten team-mates on his side but just a trusty guitar and that strange mix of nerves, excitement and adrenalin as he introduces his own single ‘Sounds of Paradise’ to the Celtic support.
In May of this year Lynch made his You Tube debut with the humorous ‘Life of a Busker’ single with interest from that taking him from the streets of the city centre into the centre circle of Celtic Park.
“I was taken aback by the attention that I got from the YouTube video,” he admitted, preparing for his big day. “I put that song out to test the water and got a lot of positive feedback, I couldn’t believe the amount of people that were interested in it and looking for a follow up.
“I had a catalogue of songs that got sent on to a few people and the demo of ‘Sounds of Paradise’ ended up with someone at Celtic Park who suggested that we contact Celtic direct.
“I did that then got a phone call from Tony Hamilton to come in and speak to him. I didn’t know what he was going to say and when he suggested that I sing it at half-time I was wondering if this was really happening.
“I guess it’s a similar feeling as when you are a young lad and get the nod to play in front of 50,000 fans, it’s almost dream like.
“There are two different types of nerves but I’ve got a similar feeling for Saturday as I did when I made my first team debut against Dundee United. Playing in front of a large amount of people is great but singing about the club I’ve supported all my life makes this extra special, it’s not just any stadium.
“I’ll have plenty of friends and former team-mates coming to the match. It’ll be a good day and from twitter there seems a lot of people who’ve downloaded the song and are pleased that I’ll be singing at half time.”
After three seasons trying the impossible- breaking into a team that included Larsson, Chris Sutton and John Hartson- Lynch moved on to Preston before spells at Dundee, Airdrie and Stenhousemuir and a stint in Australia with Queensland Roar.
Realising that his playing days weren’t going to last forever he enrolled for university and has moved into the property market as well as getting involved in the music business.
“Music and football have always been two of my big passions,” he added. “I was in a band with my brothers, The Oracles, before I went full time with Celtic, we were actually quite successful and it looked like we’d get a record contract but signing for Celtic put all that on the back burner.
“I continued to play my guitar throughout my football career then a year ago a friend introduced me to a music producer, he knew that I’d written a few songs and I let him hear them and things went from there.
“It was never in my mind that I’d get into music again, it was just something that I enjoyed doing and that’s still the case today, I don’t take it too seriously.
“You’ve got to do what you enjoy and if an opportunity comes up take it. I decided last year to stop playing football, my heart wasn’t in it after 12 years as a professional, I enjoyed every moment at different clubs and levels.
“I’m not really sure what will happen next but I’m not thinking beyond returning to Celtic and singing in front of the supporters.”
CLICK HERE to download Sounds of Paradise
CLICK HERE to follow Simon on twitter
CLICK HERE for Lennon’s delight at Izaguirre return