Celtic wheel out Shay Given to drum up interest in upcoming friendly match against Newcastle United

In around five weeks' time, Newcastle United will travel north to face Celtic in a pre-season friendly.

The Magpies have snapped up their 7000 ticket allocation already, but it seems that ticket sales in the land of Haggis and Irn Bru aren't quite what the Scottish champions had hoped.

There have been reports that ticket sales have been quite slow, although there is plenty of time for that to change yet.

However, in what seems to be a desperate bid to drum up some enthusiasm for the game, Celtic have already held a press conference for the game and roped in former Celtic youth player and Newcastle United hero Shay Given to do so.

Shay Given has been on sales duty, trying to get Celtic fans to buy tickets

The timing is odd given how long it is until the two sides meet, but when you see what Given has been saying, you can absolutely tell that the goal has been to hype up the game to sell some tickets.

“It should be a brilliant game. Pre-season is obviously about getting the teams fit for the new season but, at the same time, when it’s two big clubs in Newcastle and Celtic, it’s going to be a great game here at Celtic Park. I know that the Newcastle away section, over 7,000 fans, is sold out already so I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere as well. Newcastle, they’ve got the Champions League next season as well, so this game sets up for two Champions League teams going head-to-head pre-season, so it’s the perfect fixture.

“There might be a few new signings on both teams as well, and it’s always an opportunity for the fans to come along and see the new signings.

“It’s been amazing for Newcastle, 70 years of domestic hurt when it comes to trophies. They managed to get their hands on the League Cup, which was fantastic. Then finish off the season by qualifying for the Champions League, which was just the cherry on top of what was a brilliant season from Eddie Howe and the players, and the fans. You saw the city for the parade, over 300,000 fans turned out to welcome them back.

“We all hope it’s the start of something special at Newcastle and that’s going to give them the springboard to move on. It’s what you need pre-season, there’s no point having loads of easy games coming into the first game. It’s a tough game so I think it’s a big test for both sets of players.”

When you read between the lines the desperation is clear

You can almost smell the desperation, can't you? Like he's been told certain points to hit to sell the match to punters. Here's how it reads to us between the lines.

“It should be a brilliant game. Pre-season is obviously about getting the teams fit for the new season but, at the same time, when it’s two big clubs in Newcastle and Celtic, it’s going to be a great game here at Celtic Park. [Seriously, it's going to be really good, honest. Please come]. I know that the Newcastle away section, over 7,000 fans, is sold out already so I’m sure it’s going to be a great atmosphere as well [The Newcastle fans have bought into it so why won't you? Please, please come]. Newcastle, they’ve got the Champions League next season as well, so this game sets up for two Champions League teams going head-to-head pre-season, so it’s the perfect fixture. [It's not just any old friendly, look, you're both Champions League clubs. That's cool, right? Seriously. Come].

“There might be a few new signings on both teams as well, and it’s always an opportunity for the fans to come along and see the new signings. [There probably won't be because Newcastle are so slow, but still, please come. Alexander Isak might play a few minutes. He's good.]

“It’s been amazing for Newcastle, 70 years of domestic hurt when it comes to trophies. They managed to get their hands on the League Cup, which was fantastic. Then finish off the season by qualifying for the Champions League, which was just the cherry on top of what was a brilliant season from Eddie Howe and the players, and the fans. You saw the city for the parade, over 300,000 fans turned out to welcome them back. [Newcastle has trophies too now. So it's going to be a good game. Trust us. Are you coming?]

“We all hope it’s the start of something special at Newcastle and that’s going to give them the springboard to move on. It’s what you need pre-season, there’s no point having loads of easy games coming into the first game. It’s a tough game so I think it’s a big test for both sets of players. [Look, Newcastle need a good level of opposition in pre-season and they agreed to play Celtic, so that must mean they think you're good. That's respect, that is. Please come!]”