Sanjeev Kohli, the talented actor known for his role as Navid in the BBC comedy “Still Game,” has shown his love for sports and especially his support for Celtic Football Club. A devoted Celtic fan, Sanjeev had a unique opportunity to meet his football heroes during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lisbon Lions in 2017.
In an exciting turn of events, Sanjeev was invited to perform at the Celebrate 67 event held at the Hydro, a grand celebration marking the historic victory of Celtic against Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup, lifting the prestigious trophy. The event witnessed the gathering of 13,000 enthusiastic Hoops fans, eager to commemorate this significant moment in the club’s history.
Sanjeev shared his experience on the Life with Brian podcast, revealing that he got a last-minute call from the PR team at Celtic, informing him about the opportunity to perform. The invitation arose after comedian Kevin Bridges, who was initially scheduled to take the stage, had to drop out due to another engagement – performing for none other than Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, who was visiting Scotland at the time.
The actor gladly accepted the offer and embraced the chance to introduce legendary singer Rod Stewart during the event. Despite having only a few minutes on stage, it turned out to be one of the most memorable nights of his life.
During the show, Sanjeev also entertained the audience with his wit and humor, cracking jokes about former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. However, fate had a humorous twist in store for him when he unexpectedly encountered Rodgers backstage right after his performance. Remaining good-spirited, Sanjeev light-heartedly joked about the manager, referring to him as a superhero for being the only man to kiss Leigh Griffiths without getting pregnant. To his relief, Rodgers took the joke in stride, flashing one of his signature radiant smiles.
The Celebrate 67 event was a star-studded affair, featuring performances by Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle, and Michelle McManus, who delighted the crowd with their incredible talents. Alongside the musical performances, the event saw the attendance of renowned football figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Martin Compston, Roy Aitken, Murdo MacLeod, and Frank McAvennie, making it an unforgettable night for Celtic fans and football enthusiasts alike.
Sanjeev Kohli’s involvement in this remarkable celebration showcased not only his acting prowess but also his passion for Celtic and sports. As an ardent supporter of the football club, he cherished the opportunity to be a part of this historic event and meet some of his football heroes, leaving a lasting memory of an extraordinary night.