Forget the burdz, it was a case of “Where’s the bridies?” when an Old Firm veteran rolled into Angus.
His exploits off the pitch made him a TV sketch show favourite.
But Frank McAvennie let his football do the talking when he pulled his boots back on in Forfar on Sunday.
McAvennie – famed for the “where’s the burdz?” catchphrase bestowed upon him by Only an Excuse – was among a group of former Celtic and Rangers footballers going up against each other at Forfar Community Campus.
The Old Firm Legends organisation holds charity games involving former Rangers and Celtic players several times each year and they continue to be extremely popular.
The two teams – including ex-Celtic stars Rudi Vata and Derek Riordan, and former Rangers players Derek Ferguson, John MacDonald and Gary McSwegan – were taking part in the first match of 2018.
McAvennie said: “I’ve been doing this since I came back up the road from down south.
“I’m not as quick as I used to be but I still play six-a-sides two or three times a week.
“It’s always good fun but I always end up apologising to the ref before we go out for what’s to come for 90 minutes.”
McAvennie was in high spirits throughout the match and enjoyed some good-natured banter with the Rangers fans as he played the role of pantomime villain.
Local punters and boys clubs also got a chance to share a dressing room with their heroes and play on the big day.
They included 16-year-old Arran Lyall who got to play in goal for Rangers.
Money raised from Sunday’s game at the multi-million pound community campus also went towards USA scholarships for local children.
George Kay from Old Firm Legends said: “Frank was a bit worse for wear during the festive period so this was a chance to blow off the cobwebs.
“Everyone enjoys playing in these games and they’ve been a real success.”
McAvennie played as a striker for West Ham United and Celtic, having had two spells with each of these clubs.
With Celtic he won the Premier Division in 1987–88 and the Scottish Cup in 1988.
He was capped five times at senior level for Scotland during the 1980s, scoring one goal.
He made two appearances in the World Cup in Mexico, both as a substitute and both defeats, to Denmark and to West Germany.
