A bit about you:
Name: My name is Joe Di Paola I have the honour to be the Chair of the Celtic Trust
Current home town: I live in Bishopbriggs a town just to the North of Glasgow.
How long have you supported your team? I am 64 years old and have been a Celtic supporter all my life I was born a Celtic supporter ! I was fortunate to grow up into the era of the best Celtic team in our unbroken 129 year history The Lisbon Lions. The first British club to win the European Cup.
My wife Eleanor, daughter Joanna and son Martin are also diehard Celts.
Celtic is a club like no other. We were founded in 1887 by an Irish cleric. Brother Walfrid to feed the poor of the East end of Glasgow and to provide a focus for the Irish immigrant community in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. Our Celtic Foundation today continues the work and the ethos of our founders in Its community work.
We are and always have been an inclusive club open to all. We have supporters from all over the world and welcome all to our home Celtic Park That welcome will be extended to you and your fellow Foxes fans on Saturday
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: My favourite thing about Celtic Park is the atmosphere when the ground is full particularly on nights when we have a visit from the great teams of Europe.
Favourite match played by your team & why: My favourite match of all time has to be the game against Inter Milan 25th May 1967 in Lisbon. As a fifteen year old I watched my team win the European Cup. Nothing in football will ever beat that night.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: My favourite Celtic player of all time is difficult. From the Lisbon Lions I would pick Bobby Murdoch whom was the complete mid fielder and more recently the King of Kings the great Henrik Larsson.
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? In our current squad my favourite is opur young fullback Keiron Teirney who burst into the team last season aged only 18 and has already been capped for Scotland. I think he is a future Celtic captain.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? I hope you would fear all our players but you will need to keep a tight rein on our 40 goal striker Leigh Griffiths.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? No doubt about the Leicester player we should hope to keep quiet. Your man Vardy. We know however you are a real team and no one man band.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Our young Norwegian player signed last season Kristoffer Ajer already looks areal valuable acquisition. Tall, strong and good on the ball perfect midfielder.
What are your initial thoughts on your new manager ? I am delighted that Brendan has become our manager. His experience and knowledge will take us to a new level He is also a lifelong Celtic supporter which we are delighted about.
How do you think your clubs approach will be to this mini tournament ? Celtic will approach this tournament we approach all competitions. We will be attempting to win it!
How do you think you’ll do against us? As to how we will do against you on Saturday. I don’t really know but I'm sure it will be a good game. Ok I'll stick my neck out. 2-1 to the Celts.
General Questions:
What do you think of the transfer activity both in and out of your club so far this summer? We have bought dembele and he looks good. More to come we hope also Brendan has said the squad needs trimmed and I think we agree. The best bit of business we have done this close season is bringing Brendan here.
As the Leicester City success last season seemed to attract interest around the world last season, what did you make of it and how do you think we will do this season ? I watched your fantastic season almost from the start to the triumphant end. I thought it was superb and showed what can be done when players are a real team and work for each other. You also had the benefit of some stellar individual performances. I think it will be difficult to repeat the feat but you will be there or thereabouts.
Any other comments? Best wishes to yourself and the Foxes Trust. Enjoy the game on Saturday …..but not too much