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Greece star Georgios Samaras invites young Irish fan to the World Cup

11-year-old Celtic fan Jay Beatty, who has Down’s syndrome, is set to watch his hero in action against Costa Rica.

ΕΛΛΑΣ Εθνική Ομάδα Ποδοσφαίρου (Greece National Football Team) / YouTube

A YOUNG IRISH fan is set to travel to the World Cup to watch his hero Georgios Samaras in action, after being invited to the tournament by the star himself.

11-year-old Celtic supporter Jay Beatty, who has Down’s syndrome, also encountered the Greek star when he was taken from the stands by him to join in the Scottish side’s league title celebrations earlier this year.

The pair also met during a Celtic game in Ireland, and their relationship was renewed after videos of Beatty cheering on Greece at this year’s World Cup gained traction online.

SPFL / YouTube

The Greek FA subsequently agreed to pay for the Armagh native and his family to travel to Brazil in order to watch Samaras and his teammates in action against Costa Rica in the last 16, after the country’s fans had launched a social media campaign to send the youngster to the World Cup.

The striker confirmed the news when speaking to reporters, saying:  “This boy gives me so much strength, it’s incredible. There are no words. I feel his love so much. This love I feel, is also felt by many people in Greece. There’s a Facebook page for him to come to Brazil.

“This morning, in a talk I had with the head of the EPO, we said we will arrange his tickets to come and watch the match with Costa Rica. We will talk with the boy’s father, we’ll tell him about everything and we’ll see.”

coded175 / YouTube

h/t The Scotsman

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