CELTIC'S Honourary chairman has been handed the task of unfurling the league flag on the opening day of the season.

John Keane will join Celtic plc Chairman Ian Bankier at Parkhead on Saturday, August 3, before the champions kick off the defence of their title against Ross County.

Lifelong fan Keane said it was a 'great honour" to be asked to mark the club's third top-flight title in a row.

Keane played a crucial row when Celtic were mired in financial turmoil during the 1990s.

And he was pivotal during negotiations to ensur the club did not succumb to the demands of its bankers.

He has served as a non-executive director of Celtic Football and Athletic Club for nearly 20 years.

And he was made chairman of that body earlier this year in recongition of his contribution to the club.

He told the Celtic website: "I am honoured to be asked to unfurl the SPL Champions flag.

"I have been a Celtic supporter all of my life and have enjoyed many thrilling matches and occasions. However this will be one of my proudest moments."

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said: "It is a huge honour to be unfurling the flag with such a great Celtic man as John Keane.

"I hope the supporters will take this opportunity to applaud the contribution of a great Celtic man to the club's history, particularly at the point where its very survival was in doubt."