• Home
• /
• Football

Collins Eager to Play in the Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s

DUBAI — Celtic legend John Collins is relishing the prospect of kicking off the Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s.

Speaking about the inaugural tournament, which takes place at 7he Sevens from 11-13 March, Collins said: “I am really looking forward to the 7s as it’s always nice to see old teammates, pull on the strip again and have some fun. It will be nice to see everyone.”

Having been to Dubai three times already, the former Scotland international knows what to expect when he reaches the city, but it’s his teammates and the outcome of the tournament he’s not too sure about.

“I’ll have to see the shape of my teammates before I make any predictions,” he joked.

Collins’ Celtic team will be one of six sides taking part in the legends tournament which will see the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal battling it out on the pitches at 7he Sevens.

And, of course, the famous rivalry between arch-rivals Celtic and Rangers is sure to generate plenty of interest. “It will be good to play against the old Rangers boys again,” added Collins.

The Emirates Airline Dubai Football 7s will be about even more than the legends, however, with eight professional teams, as well as 300 amateur teams also taking part in the weekend festival of football. “It’s great that the tournament involves the amateurs. That is not something that happens very often,” said Collins.

“It’s always important to encourage the young generation to participate in and enjoy football,” added the midfielder who scored 47 goals in his 221 appearances for Celtic and also earned 58 caps for Scotland.

The amateur tournament sections are: Dubai Amateur Football League Men; Open Amateur Men; Open Corporate Men; Open Amateur Men Vets (over 35s); Local Amateur Men Social; Open Amateur Ladies; Open Under-18s; Open Under-16s; Open Under-15s; Open Under-13s; Open Under-11s; and Open Under-9s.