Matthew Le Tissier has urged Saints fans to pack out St Mary's for Claus Lundekvam's testimonial.

The Saints legend's call comes after he revealed the Norwegian defender had coughed up a six-figure sum to returf the pitch.

Saints welcome Gordon Strachan's Celtic on Friday, July 18, for the first home game under Jan Poortvliet that doubles as Lundekvam's testimonial match.

The game is an opportunity to celebrate Lundekvam's 12-year stint at Saints but due to the dates that Celtic could make there was not time after the Bon Jovi concert to reseed the St Mary's pitch in time for the friendly.

Therefore Lundekvam's testimonial committee have shelled out a six-figure sum to get a ready-made playing surface in place and that same pitch will then be used by the first team for the whole of next season.

Le Tissier, the committee chairman, said: "Claus has sacrificed a lot of money to put the game on with Celtic and the thing with Claus is that he wants an opportunity to say goodbye to everybody.

"He's the kind of guy if the game just breaks even and everybody has a great night he'll be delighted.

"It's only right that the fans have a chance to say their goodbyes to Claus but it also gives Claus a chance to say goodbye to them because they have been very supportive of him down the years."

Le Tissier added: "Claus had his heart set on getting Celtic down because of Gordon Strachan who was his favourite manager.

"Celtic have done us a bit of a favour as well by reducing the fee they usually charge for a testimonial so we thank Celtic for that but it's costing quite a lot of money to put the game on.

"As a testimonial committee we've had to purchase a pitch and that doesn't come cheap.

"It was the only way we could get Celtic and we've taken that risk in the hope that the fans turn out in their numbers and make it a great night for us.

"The pitch will stay for the season but the committee will buy it - it was the only way we could get the game to go ahead.

"The groundstaff would have needed a six week turnaround from the Bon Jovi concert to the game being played and Celtic couldn't quite make those dates so this was the only way we could do it.

"We've taken a big financial commitment upon ourselves as a committee so Claus can get what he wants."

Tickets remain on general sale to Saints fans who have one last chance to see Lundekvam in action as he will play for the final ten minutes alongside a selection of Saints legends including Michael Svensson.

They have also gone on sale to Celtic fans who are expected to sell out their 6,000 allocation in the Northam End.

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