Entertainment
Martin Compston ‘terrified’ of facing England legends at Soccer Aid and we really don’t blame him
Martin Compston is taking part in Soccer Aid 2021 (Picture: Getty)
Martin Compston revealed he is ‘terrified’ of facing some of the England legends at Soccer Aid.
The Line of Duty star has joined the line-up for this year’s game as part of the World XI squad, beside Usain Bolt, Kem Cetinay and Yungblud.
The team will be facing some pretty huge names from the football world, with Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville among the England team – alongside Mark Wright, Olly Murs and Sir Mo Farah.
Speaking ahead of the match on Saturday evening, which is raising money for Unicef, the Scottish actor – who was very vocal during the Euros recently – joked to Metro.co.uk that the iconic three lions on the national team’s badge is a ‘red rag to a bull’.
When asked how excited he was for the game, he laughed: ‘Excited is the wrong word. Terrified, maybe. As much as I love the banter between the Scotland and England stuff, you’ve got to have a bit of respect.
‘These are guys who are absolute legends of the game. There’s always a bit of an ego when Scotland play England, and those three lions on a shirt, they are a red drag to a bull to a Scotsman.
‘I’m looking forward to it but the prospect of seeing Wayne Rooney on a pitch, or being close to him, is a privilege. He’s a proper legend of the game. Just to share a pitch with these guys is a joy.’
Martin, who recently starred in new BBC drama Vigil, was forced to miss out on a recent Line of Duty reunion with Adrian Dunbar and Vicky McClure at the GQ awards this week, when the ‘gaffer’ took home a gong for best TV actor.
While he couldn’t be there in person, he revealed that his Kate Fleming co-star has sent him a sweet message ahead of today’s kick-off.
‘I think Vicky might be cheering England, I’m sure Aidy will be cheering me,’ he told us. ‘I was gutted to miss the guys the other night, congratulations to Aidy, it’s well deserved.
Adrian Dunbar and Vicky McClure had a Line of Duty reunion without Martin (Picture: Rex)
‘Vicky gave me a wee text this morning, saying “Good luck”. I’m sure she’ll have an England top on.’
Soccer Aid 2021 is taking place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, with the game kicking off at 7.30.
There have been a string of famous faces getting in on the action in previous years, in a bid to raise money for charity.
And, after Mark Wright suggested David Beckham should lace up his boots next time, Martin revealed who he would love to see on the pitch in the future.
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‘There were two ones who have already played, and I wasn’t playing then,’ he added. ‘Henrik Larsson is my absolute hero, in any walk of life, not just in football. To a Celtic fan, he’s God. He’s a Messiah.
‘But also when Zidane was here, and just to share a pitch with him as well would be something special. So if either of them do fancy coming back…
‘Maybe if I’ve got another couple of years on me, Cristano [Ronaldo] and Leo [Messi] might fancy it in a couple of years. So if any of them [appear] and I’m still about, then that would be a dream.’
Someone get Messi, Ronaldo and Beckham down here immediately.
Soccer Aid kicks off tonight, with coverage starting at 6.30pm on ITV.
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