Former Celtic stars take on Macmillan Longest Day Golf Challenge

They've played in what some describe as the most hostile derby in the world, but Stephen McManus and Stephen Pearson were showing off their more charitable side on Thursday.

The former Celtic players were promoting Macmillan Cancer Support's Longest Day Golf Challenge as they raise money in memory of a family friend of former Hoops captain McManus.

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Kenny Monaghan, the club professional at Linlithgow Golf Club where part of the event will take place, lost his mother to cancer five years ago.

On May 20, the Motherwell duo will attempt to play four rounds of golf in one day between Monaghan's home course and Kingsfield Golf Club.

On the charity event, McManus said: "We're taking part in the golf event that they do, which is four rounds in one day, so it's going to be a hard shift but we're looking forward to raising as much as we can.

"I think we're looking at trying to raise around the £10,000 mark, which would be great."

Pearson and McManus were joined by Celtic fan and Ryder Cup hero Stephen Gallacher at Bothwell Castle Golf Club on Thursday as they sought tips on a sport they are less familiar with and seemingly less accomplished at.

Under the pressure of the Sky Sports News HQ cameras, McManus missed a very makeable putt before being quizzed by our reporter Luke Shanley.

Motherwell lost 2-1 at home to Celtic last Saturday, with McManus able to see up close any frailties Rangers might expose in Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final.

He played in 18 Old Firm derbies during his time at Celtic, winning eight of them, and he thinks his old side will be too strong for Rangers.

He said: "Rangers and Celtic will both be going into the game full of confidence. But when you play in an Old Firm game, form goes out the window.

"I think you need to fancy Celtic strongly as well, just because they have more experience in their side for these games. If you take away Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace, it's a new environment for a lot of the Rangers players.

"When you look at the Celtic side, they have that little bit more experience and I think their class will be too much for Rangers on the day."

McManus' team-mate Pearson had a superior record in the derby with Rangers while he was at Celtic Park. In the seven ties he was involved in, Celtic won five and were beaten only once.

And he believes a similar result will occur on Sunday, despite admitting the gap between the clubs has closed since last year's League Cup semi-final.

The former Derby County midfielder said: "They've had a far better season this season under Mark Warburton so they'll be up for the game. It will be a tough challenge for Celtic, but I think it's one they'll come through."

Watch Rangers v Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals live on Sky Sports 2 from 11am on Sunday.