Simon Webbe: Sir Alex Ferguson is a true Blue fan

POP hunk Simon Webbe has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of his boyband BLUE.

The 32-year-old - who is playing in next week's star-studded Celtic v Man United charity match - says the legendary Red Devils manager told him he loved the band's tunes.

Sir Alex, 69, invited United fan Simon and his daughter Alanah, now 14, to Old Trafford for a match to celebrate her 11th birthday.

They met a host of soccer stars, including former United ace Cristiano Ronaldo, who's now at Real Madrid.

Simon said: "Sir Alex is a great man and a real inspiration.

"He's been at the top of his game forever and you can't have anything but respect for that.

"I know his son Jason really well, too.

"Sir Alex invited us to a game for my daughter's birthday and introduced us to all the players and that was brilliant."

Ex-Aberdeen boss Sir Alex later told Simon his favourite Blue albums were 2001's All Rise and One Love that was released a year later.

Both records reached No1 and included chart-topping singles Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, with Sir Elton John.

Simon - who is mates with United defender Rio Ferdinand - said: "Sir Alex is a massive fan of our first and second albums, he's told me that and it was really nice to hear."

The singer even claimed Portuguese superstars Ronaldo, 26, and Nani, 24, were STARSTRUCK when they met him.

He insisted: "I'm an international solo star and have a high profile in Portugal."

The heart-throb says the Blue lads are still buzzing from the Eurovision Song Contest, despite only finishing 11th last May with I Can. He said: "We came back to a proud nation. There's a stigma attached to Eurovision which is quite negative, hopefully we changed that.

"We feel we should have won because we were the best there.

"But it's political - you can't beat the Eastern Bloc.

"Germany didn't give us a single point then a day later we went to number seven in their singles chart with the song."

Simon, a striker, played for Port Vale and Stoke City before an injury at 17 ruined his chance of a professional career.

He was once approached about signing for Liverpool to play with a current Old Trafford star Michael Owen. Simon said: "The scout said he thought we'd make the perfect partnership.

"I was one of those kids who didn't have proper guidance, and the chance fell through.

"With music though, you get to touch people in a way I never thought was imaginable.

"I don't think winning the FA Cup can change a fan's life."

The glamour event - at Celtic Park on Tuesday - is raising funds for the Oxfam East Africa Famine Appeal.

A host of stars are involved, including ex-boxing champ Ricky Hatton, rapper Tinchy Stryder, Britpop legend Richard Ashcroft, and The View rockers Kyle Falconer and Pete Reilly.

Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon and club legends Henrik Larsson and Lubo Moravcik are also set to pull on their boots again.

And Simon revealed his bad-boy bandmate Lee Ryan is playing for Celtic in the match.

He added: "Everyone who knows him loves him. He's got one of the biggest hearts http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifaround."

Irish tough guy Roy Keane, who played for Celtic and Man Utd during his career, is expected to turn out for both sides.

Simon said: "Keano was a massive hero of mine so hopefully I'll get the chance to play beside him.

"It's a dream for me. And it's a win-win scenario because it's for a great cause."

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