Ex-Celtic star Dion Dublin records Christmas album

Dion Dublin pictured during his first game for Celtic - an Old Firm match at Ibrox. Picture: David Moir

Dublin, 45, is a keen amateur percussionist, and invented an instrument he called ‘The Dube’, a type of percussion instrument based on the Peruvian cajón, and accompanied Britpop band Ocean Colour Scene at a gig at the University of East Anglia.

The former England international plays saxophone, the Dube, and provides backing vocals on the charity record.

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Titled ‘Dion Dublin’s Christmas Presents’, it features songs such as Silent Night and Fairytale of New York.

Dublin, who tasted success with Celtic in 2006 as part of their title-winning side, described the album as ‘quite eclectic’, adding: “You’ve got ska, funk, soul, indie, even a bit of classical.

“They are all familiar Christmas tunes but we’ve given them a twist.”

For every copy sold, £1 will go towards The Bobby Moore Fund, a cancer charity.

Dublin added: “My passion for music lay dormant during my football career and now I can explore it.

“I sing a few backing vocals but I’m not much of a singer. You won’t see me on X Factor.”

And the one-time Manchester United forward even joked about getting Sir Alex Ferguson involved in a future effort, adding: “I think Sir Alex Ferguson can sing - I might see if he fancies getting involved with next year’s album.”

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