A Spanish Olympian, set to represent his country at the upcoming Paris 2024 games, has been speaking about his unlikely relationship with Celtic.
The Bhoys are known to have supporters in almost every corner of the world but you wouldn’t expect many born and raised Spaniards to have such a close affinity for the club.
Racewalker Paul McGrath has family hailing from Glasgow and Ireland, as you may guess by his name, and it’s his father James who has instilled an investment in the ups and downs of the Bhoys.
The 21-year-old, who is the Spanish champion at the 20km distance as well as the best in Europe at U23 level, has shared that the club are a major presence in his household.
Spanish Olympian Paul McGrath on Celtic
McGrath said [Scottish Sun]: “I usually compete on Sundays and sometimes Celtic play that day too so my dad has to turn notifications off so he can watch me and then he catches up with the game when he gets home. There’s a rule in our house that we can’t watch TV when we’re having meals… but there’s an exception.
“If Celtic are playing then that’s the only time we can watch something as my dad can’t miss it. The mood of the day then depends on whether Celtic have won or lost. But it’s good as we have something in common and we can always talk about Celtic.
“Celtic are massive in the family. So many things revolve around it. My dad was a season ticket holder for pretty much his whole entire life when he was in Glasgow. I was a season ticket holder when I was ten just because it was cheap and my dad said I had to have one!
“My first ever game was a 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock so it wasn’t that exciting! Whenever I had the opportunity to go to Glasgow in the summer or at Christmas then I was always pleased to get to go to Celtic Park.”
McGrath will line up for Spain in the 20km racewalking event in Paris later this year and will dream of a big showing as the 19th-ranked athlete in the world in his event.
Achieving his Olympic qualification goal, he aims to improve and develop further towards the top of the sport.
Now a noted member of the wider Celtic family, no doubt many more people will be keeping an eye on his result at the summer extravaganza.
Good luck Paul!
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