CELTIC will be invited to open Derry City’s refurbished 6,000-seater Brandywell stadium next year.
The Irish club are hoping the £100,000 move of winger Michael Duffy to the Hoops in January will help give the gala occasion the green light.A Derry City official said: “Obviously, we played our part in attempting to get the best deal possible when Michael joined Celtic and, while nothing has been put down on paper, we reached a verbal understanding that such a match was possible.
“It formed part of our negotiations and the people involved refused to dismiss the possibility of bringing the first team over to officially open a new-look Brandywell Stadium when the refurbishment had been completed.
“Nothing can be taken for granted, but I did receive a favourable response with my suggestion.
“The people I’ve spoken to have agreed to keep that channel open.
“They gave me an assurance that they would do everything in their power to have the Celtic first team available.”
