CELTIC LEGEND JOINS TV3

TV3 GROUP NEWS RELEASE IMMEDIATE: Monday 18th May 2009


Paul Lambert, the man who captained Celtic to the UEFA Cup Final in 2003, joins TV3 panel of experts for Wednesday's UEFA Cup Final between Shakhtar Donestk and Werder Bremen.

Paul will be in studio with Tony Cascarino for analysis on the last ever match of the 38 year history of the UEFA Cup before it is replaced by the new look UEFA Europa League next season. The final in Istanbul promises to be a night to remember.

Paul spent a season in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, becoming the first British player to win the UEFA Champions League in 1997. His achievements with Celtic include four Scottish Premier League titles, Three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups. Paul represented Scotland at the 1998 World Cup.

Mark Lawrenson will provide commentary at the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium alongside TV3 sports presenter, Trevor Welch.

The programme, presented by Tommy Martin, begins at 7.30pm on Wednesday May 20th.

TV3 Sports Editor Kieran Holden said: "The UEFA Cup Final is a showpiece event in the football calendar and this year's final is all the more special being the last in the competition's history. We are delighted to have Paul Lambert joining us for the first time, he never shirked a challenge as a player and I feel he will bring a similar dimension to the studio debate.”

The UEFA Cup Final - Wednesday 20th May at 7:30pm on TV3!

 ENDS.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson
TV3 PRESS OFFICE +353 1 419 3430
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie


NOTES TO EDITORS:

Paul Lambert
Paul won four league titles, three Scottish Cups and the League Cup twice in his eight years at Parkhead, including a domestic treble in 2001; he was captain of Celtic when they were denied UEFA Cup glory by Jose Mourinho's Porto in 2003.  Paul joined Celtic in 1997 for a fee in the region of €2 million from Borussia Dortmund where he became the first British player to win a UEFA Champions League earlier that year.  He retired from playing in 2005 and is currently manager of League One side Colchester United.

Mark Lawrenson
Mark is a well known soccer celebrity for his work with the BBC on Match of the Day, Football Focus and Radio 5 Live. His other work includes Today FM (Last Word with Matt Cooper & Premier League Live). Mark enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Liverpool where he won the European Cup in 1984, five League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup three times during his seven seasons with Liverpool. He also played 39 times for the Republic of Ireland. Mark has been a TV3 soccer regular for the best part of ten years.  

Tony Cascarino
A weekly columnist with The Times, Tony can be seen and heard on SKY Sports and Today FM (Last Word with Matt Cooper). He previously hosted his own programme on TalkSPORT. Tony's autobiography Full Time (with Paul Kimmage), was critically acclaimed, "Compared with the standard-issue footballer's autobiography, this is Tolstoy" wrote The Guardian.

His playing career includes representing the Republic of Ireland at two World Cups (1990 & 1994) and Euro 88, while his club career includes spells with Aston Villa, Celtic, Chelsea and Marseille. Tony has worked with TV3 as a co-commentator and analyst.