The 2023/24 Scottish Premiership season is nearing the halfway stage and the latest Old Firm derby instalment takes place in just under a weeks' time.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers saw his side get their league campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Livingston on Sunday to alleviate some pressure on the Northern Irishman after back-to-back defeats.
The Hoops host their bitter rivals at Parkhead on December 30 and the match will be watched with interest by a number of famous faces from across the globe. Celtic are renowned for having a massive following and a number of professional footballers - both past and present - who have NOT had the chance to pull on the green and white shirt are well known for being avid followers of the club.
Here, GlasgowWorld looks at 21 famous players who have confessed to being a fan of the Hoops...
The Hoops host their bitter rivals at Parkhead on December 30 and the match will be watched with interest by a number of famous faces from across the globe. Celtic are renowned for having a massive following and a number of professional footballers - both past and present - who have NOT had the chance to pull on the green and white shirt are well known for being avid followers of the club.
![The Manchester United stalwart has never hidden from the fact he grew up a Hoops supporter but once declared there was more chance of him joining Rangers over his boyhood heroes during his playing career.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjljNjc4YzQyLTYzZDctNDFiYS04NmYyLWY3YjY3OTU5NGE5MDoyZGZlNDk2My1iZjg3LTRkNzktODkyYy1hZDYxNzBjOTg5NTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Darren Fletcher
The Manchester United stalwart has never hidden from the fact he grew up a Hoops supporter but once declared there was more chance of him joining Rangers over his boyhood heroes during his playing career. Photo: Ash Donelon
![Former Borussia Dortmund utility man and Hoops target Grosskretuz previously spoke about his fondness for the Bhoys in 2014, stating he has a great affinity for the club after paying a visit to a Celtic pub in Glasgow. He added: “The people started signing my name. I will never forget that. There is a connection between Celtic and Dortmund supporters.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/26/15/GettyImages-483492711.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. Kevin Grosskreutz
Former Borussia Dortmund utility man and Hoops target Grosskretuz previously spoke about his fondness for the Bhoys in 2014, stating he has a great affinity for the club after paying a visit to a Celtic pub in Glasgow. He added: “The people started signing my name. I will never forget that. There is a connection between Celtic and Dortmund supporters.”
![Popular broadcaster and former Nottingham Forest striker Collymore is never afraid to air an opinion on events in Scottish football and previously stated to being a Rangers fan before changing allegiance to Celtic after receiving various forms of abuse. He commented: “Celtic fans worldwide. I was told as a kid you were my enemy. I learned you’re my closest friends.”](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUyMzllNDA0LWE2MWMtNDY2YS04NWExLTc4YzNhZGY5NmM5ODo2Nzg5NWYyMy02MjRkLTRlYTEtYjA0Zi00M2I5ODc1NGE2YzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. Stan Collymore
Popular broadcaster and former Nottingham Forest striker Collymore is never afraid to air an opinion on events in Scottish football and previously stated to being a Rangers fan before changing allegiance to Celtic after receiving various forms of abuse. He commented: “Celtic fans worldwide. I was told as a kid you were my enemy. I learned you’re my closest friends.” Photo: Marc Atkins
![Once spotted draped in a Hoops scarf as he soaked up the atmosphere at a derby match, the Chelsea legend and five-time Premier League winner has been a supporter of the club since he was a child. Was pictured on television screens filming the iconic anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before kick-off.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjhjYjUyZjc4LWVhY2ItNGYwZC1hN2MwLTEyY2MzZjUxMzc1YTo5YjVlMjdhNi1hNTVhLTQ3ZTQtYTFlNy01MTBjNmM4NTA2NTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. John Terry
Once spotted draped in a Hoops scarf as he soaked up the atmosphere at a derby match, the Chelsea legend and five-time Premier League winner has been a supporter of the club since he was a child. Was pictured on television screens filming the iconic anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before kick-off. Photo: Pool