A PLAY which pays homage to a Celtic legend is heading for Greenock next month - and the crowd will help raise money for a vital charity.

Playwright Jim Orr's show Bend it like Bertie - a story about a Glasgow family, Lisbon Lions legend Bertie Auld and living with dementia - will be on stage at the Beacon on Saturday November 13.

Comedian Des McLean plays the footballer in the show, which follows Jim's other plays, Bend it like Baxter and Bend it like Brattbakk.

Bertie was sadly diagnosed with dementia earlier this year.

To raise awareness of the impact it has on people all over Scotland, £1 from every ticket sold for the show will go to Alzheimer Scotland's Football Memories project.

The project uses photos of players and football artefacts to spark memories in people living with the condition.

Des sat next to Bertie as he flew home from performing at a Celtic convention in Las Vegas back in 2014.

His experience talking to the Lisbon Lion paved the way for the show.

Des said: "Bertie was the best entertainment on a plane ever.

"We were just blethering away and he was telling me amazing stories about all the great times he had as a player and all the nights they had.

"He was magnificent.

"I went to see Jim's play Bend it like Brattbakk not long afterwards and just thought it was a great story.

"I got to speaking to Jim after it and he mentioned he wanted to write another play, maybe about a Lisbon Lion this time.

"I mentioned that I got to talking to Bertie on the plane back from Vegas and that he'd told me loads of great stories.

"Jim said there and then that he would write the play.

"I'm really honoured that I get to play Bertie in it."

The show begins amid Celtic's Scottish Cup run in 1965 when Bertie and Jock Stein had both returned to the Parkhead club.

The main character in the play is a female Celtic fan who is divorced, has two teenage children and a stressful job and cares for her elderly father who has Alzheimer's.

She meets Bertie and the story starts from there.

Des added: "The play pays homage to Bertie at the start and then he flits in and out of the play.

"Hopefully Bertie will be able to make it along to the Beacon.

"It's an emotional rollercoaster of a play and is hilarious.

"It's such a great story."

Des has appeared in several shows at the Beacon including I, Tommy - about the life of Tommy Sheridan - the A to Z of Scotland and Glasgow Trip.

His first solo show as a comedian outside Glasgow was at Greenock Arts Guild.

Des added: "I filled the theatre and it was a great night.

"I was in Greenock a lot when I was with Radio Clyde and I've always had a brilliant time there.

"Greenock people are down-to-earth ordinary punters and are so easy going.

"The Beacon is the perfect place for this show.

"I've been dying to get into theatres and comedy clubs again, it's amazing to be back."