24 Wednesday, February 4, 2009 1S TARTAN TRIBUTE TO AC MILAN STARS

TARTAN IT UP . . . how stars would look in new design, l-r, Pirlo, Beckham, Pato and Kaka

SCORE DRAW ...Michaelwithhistartan By GRAEME DONOHOE SOCCER superstars AC Milan are the latest club to get their very own official TARTAN. The Italian club follows in the footsteps of Scottish sides like Celtic and Rangers in hav- ing a unique plaid designed for them. And Milan-daft fan Michael Lemetti hopes to present his trib- ute tartan to the club’s stars today — when they jet into Glas- gow to play Rangers in a glam- our friendly. Chip shop owner Michael said: “We wanted to show our passion for the club by creating our own tartan and it looks great. The red Milan use is very dis- tinctive. “We can’t wait to show our new kilts and scarves to Milan when they play Rangers.” Michael is desperate to see stars like David Beckham, Kaka, ex-Rangers hero Rino Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato — and hopes they’ll don his design. Proud Michael, 50, has regis- tered his new red and black design with the Scottish Tartan Authority. The Scottish Parliament launches its new official Scottish Register of Tartans today. Records There are well over 6,000 differ- ent plaids so a publicly-funded body has needed to keep a track of all tartans. Existing groups including the Scottish Tartans Authority and the Scottish Tartans World Regis- ter will share records with the Rivera. I go to two or three the Serie A club — even meeting new body. games in Milan a year and I’ve boss Carlo Ancelotti, below — Michael came up with the idea watched them in European Cup and hopes they will stock his FOOTBALLERS FEELING KILTY of an AC Milan tartan after finals against Marseille and new tartan merchandise in their AC MILAN aren’t the first top club to score launching the side’s official Scot- Juventus. official club stores. with a tartan. tish supporters’ club last sum- “I’ve been lucky that they’ve He said: “The players and offi- Fellow Euro cracks Barcelona unveiled mer. Its 200 members were des- been over here a few times play- cials were thrilled to be given theirs during a tour of Scotland last summer. perate to celebrate their links ing Celtic in the Champions special Italian National tartan Italian club Fiorentina have had a special with the Serie A team by com- League recently. purple plaid made in their honour. ties last time they were over. Swedish clubs Malmo and Hammarby ing up with their “We first met them when they “Even the club President Sil- NOU LOOK . . Barcelona own club tartan. have their own plaids, and Chinese side were over for the game against vio Berlusconi received one for Shenzhen had one registered when they The Milan Club Celtic in 2004 and they were his 73rd birthday last year and were twinned with Rangers. Scozia has been delighted to hear they have so we made Rino Gattuso his own Cardiff City have their own while 18 filmed for a BBC many fans in Scot- kilt to celebrate the fact his Scottish clubs have registered tartans. Alba documentary land.” wife is Scottish. Partick boss John Lambie, right, fam- on Italian culture. The Milan tartan “They are looking forward to ously stepped out in the Thistle tartan in The lifelong is Michael’s second seeing this new tartan that has SWEDE . . . Hammarby 2001. fan said: “I design after creat- been made in their honour. named my ing Italian National “If everything goes well it son Tartan in 2004. might even be stocked in their Gianni Michael official club shop but we’ll have after the has devel- to wait and see.” Milan leg- oped close Q For info on Scottish AC Milan fan club end links with visit www.milanclubscozia.com SO TAFF . . . Cardiff TWIN . . . Shenzhen ALL HEART. . . Jambos Gianni [email protected]

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