CELTIC icon Henrik Larsson is desperate to support the charity game to celebrate the career of Stiliyan Petrov.

And news that the Swede will move heaven and earth to be present at the star-studded game at Parkhead on September 8 is sure to give another massive boost to ticket sales.

With Lubo Moravcik and Roy Keane also promising to be in attendance, the occasion already had a special feel to it.

But with Hoops 'royalty' now revealing he wants to be in attendance on the big day, it is fast becoming a red-letter day in the calendar of the supporters.

The proceeds will be split between Petrov's cancer charity and good causes selected by Celtic.

The attendance of 41-year-old Larsson – now back coaching in Sweden with his son Jordan's side, Hogaborg – would be a huge draw, and he said: "If I can make it, I will come.

"I've said that all along, but it depends what's going to happen with my working situation.

"If I get an hour or two, I will fly over and I would definitely like to take part in the game."

He added: "I've always said that Celtic Park is a great place. That's where I made my name and where I became the player I was. I absolutely love the place."

Larsson has been a huge supporter of Petrov's fight to beat leukaemia, the illness which brought the 33-year-old's playing career to a premature end this year.

The Bulgarian has made a remarkable recovery, and now wants to use his reputation and contacts to raise awareness and funds to help others beat leukaemia.

Larsson said of his former Parkhead team-mate: "I was very saddened when I heard the news of Stan's illness.

"He's a player and a man I know very well, and we shared a lot of things together.

"But you don't think only of him, you think of his family as well."

Larsson continued: "He's a strong guy and you just hope everything goes well because he's a fantastic guy and I'm looking forward to seeing him."

Meanwhile, with a maximum of just 800 Celtic fans expected to be admitted to the Hoops' Champions League qualifier against Cliftonville at Solitude on July 17, the news has been welcomed that the BBC will screen the match live in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Ewan Angus, the head of sport at BBC Scotland, said: "It's great to collaborate with colleagues in Northern Ireland to bring our audiences the first competitive fixture of the new season as Celtic and Cliftonville kick off their European adventure."

The tie will also be available on the BBC website and on BBC Radio Scotland.