The Lions’ Roar Charity Match, will take place in May – and will see the worlds of football, rugby and entertainment join forces

The worlds of football and rugby are set to come together to fight MND.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon and rugby legend Doddie Weir today (Mon 2 March) launched – on behalf of Celtic FC Foundation and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - a fundraising football match, to support research and other initiatives aimed at tackling Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The Lions’ Roar Charity Match, will take place at Celtic Park on Friday 8 May (7pm) – and will see the worlds of football, rugby and entertainment join forces.

The net proceeds of The Lions’ Roar Charity Match will be devoted to fighting MND through two equal beneficiary charities - Celtic FC Foundation (in memory of Jimmy Johnstone) and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

The two foundations will pull together opposing legends’ squads including a number of familiar faces from both football and rugby, and also a few celebrity supporters.

Johnstone, who was named Celtic’s greatest ever player, died in 2006 after a battle with the condition. Weir, a stalwart for the Scotland rugby team, founded the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in November 2017 after being diagnosed with MND.

Agnes Johnstone, Jimmy’s widow, said: “Our family is so honoured that Jimmy’s legacy and memory is now being used in such a positive way to help others. Like Doddie, Jimmy faced a huge fight against MND and he tackled his challenge with real courage and determination.

“We would like to thank Celtic and Doddie for all their great work in supporting the fight against MND. Doddie is a true inspiration to us all and our family are watching with genuine admiration. We hope as many people as possible support Doddie and Celtic through this great event, so that so many other deserving people can benefit.”

Doddie Weir added: “It is a great honour and privilege to have the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation associated with Celtic and their long-established charity, Celtic FC Foundation.

“We have only been in existence for less than three years, but in that time we have raised over £5m, all of which has gone to helping in the fight against MND, in the shape of funding towards research across the country, extensive drug trials, the purchasing of drugs, and, to directly help fellow MND sufferers and their families.

“For many of us, MND first came to our attention more than a decade ago when Celtic and Scotland legend Jimmy Johnstone eventually succumbed to this horrible condition. Little was known about MND then compared to now, however, in terms of a cure or positive treatment, little has advanced on that front.

“Other high-profile sportsmen have had their lives blighted and ultimately ended by MND, thus far, an incurable disease. However, our fight to find a cure will continue, but to achieve that we must keep MND and our battle against it in the public eye, something this footballing spectacle will achieve.”

Tickets are on sale now to Celtic season ticket holders, and will go on general sale on Monday 16 March.