Shaun Maloney is delighted the John Kennedy tribute match has been given the go-ahead against a Seville Select.

On Sunday, May 22, one day after the Scottish Cup Final, Celtic will face a side managed by Martin O'Neill, featuring several of the stars who reached the Uefa Cup Final in 2002/03.

Maloney, who played alongside Kennedy before he was forced to retire through injury, believed arranging the game was an excellent gesture from the club.

Speaking on the Celtic website, he said: "I think it's a really nice thing that the club have organised for John to have this match as I think everyone knows the circumstances which happened with his career.

"The attitude he showed throughout numerous operations and setbacks was a real inspiration for his team-mates round about him at the time and I am quite proud and privileged to be part of his game, and I am really happy for him and his family that it's going ahead."

Maloney is also looking forward to facing some of his former team-mates. And despite the age gap, he is expecting them to make it a competitive encounter.

"I think it will all depend on how fit some of the players are as to how competitive it will be.

"I think we have a notion that the Seville team are going to be turning up pretty competitively to win, so it should be a good game."