Ex-Rangers star Derek Johnstone hoping for good turnout at Thurso charity match
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Former Rangers star Derek Johnstone has given his backing to this summer's showpiece fundraising match between Thurso firefighters and a team of Ibrox legends.
He recorded a brief video to help publicise the game – scheduled for the Dammies on Saturday, August 7, Covid-19 restrictions permitting – and the organisers shared the message on social media.
Urging everyone to "keep this date in your diary", Johnstone (67) said: "It should be some game. Hopefully you will turn out on the day – we will look forward to seeing you."
Johnstone won multiple honours with Rangers in the 1970s and early ’80s and was part of the team that lifted the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1972.
Tickets for a sportsman's dinner and charity auction taking place after the game sold out within 25 minutes of going on sale at the end of last month.
Funds from the match and the evening function at the Weigh Inn will be used to buy life-saving defibrillators as well as helping local charities.
Firefighters Brian Davidson, David Bain and Karl Drummond from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service assembled a nine-strong organising committee to make the arrangements.
Tickets are now on sale for the match, with up to 3000 being made available.
Rangers legends, managed by Stan Gordon, will feature Roy Carroll, Marvin Andrews, Colin Hendry, Bob Malcolm, Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson, Charlie Miller, Nacho Novo, Michael Mols, Andy Little, Gordon Durie and John MacDonald and it is also hoped Marco Negri will be able to travel from Italy.
Main sponsors are Eric Gunn Driver Training, CS Drilling Services and Autoquip of Wick, along with a full set of individual player sponsors.
