World Cup-bound Celtic star Landry N’Guémo is backing a new partnership between his club and aid agency Oxfam, which will be formally launched at a press conference at Celtic Park in the coming weeks.

The Glasgow club, which was founded in 1888 to help tackle poverty in the east end of the city, has teamed up with Oxfam Scotland to take that aspiration to a global level in the year that footballing attention will be on Africa for the continent's first ever hosting of the FIFA World Cup.

The partnership will see Celtic and Oxfam work together to raise football fans' awareness and understanding of some of the issues facing millions of people in Africa.

A number of events are planned leading up to the World Cup where Celtic could be represented by as many as eight players.

The 24-year-old midfield maestro will represent his country Cameroon at the World Cup in South Africa in the summer. The player, who made his name with French club AS Nancy after being spotted by scouts in Cameroon when he was just 15, was recently in Angola representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Celtic and Cameroon star Landry N’Guémo helps launch the campaign. Credit:Copyright SNS, snspix.com

Landry N’Guémo said: "Football is so important to so many people that it often feels like it is their whole life. You get so caught up in the game that it's easy to forget about some of the issues that affect millions of poor people around the world.

"Celtic fans are more passionate about their club than most supporters, but they also remember why the club was formed and what it stands for. Celtic was formed to tackle poverty in Glasgow and this partnership with Oxfam, which works so hard to alleviate poverty around the world, makes perfect sense.

"I know the Celtic fans will be proud to be associated with Oxfam and that they will support the partnership however they can.

"I was brought up in Cameroon where poverty affects millions of people. Across Africa many families have poor access to health or education, and we need many more teachers, nurses and doctors. The Celtic Oxfam partnership will both raise awareness but also give Celtic fans across the world the opportunity to take action to help end poverty."

Celtic Football Club was founded in 1888 by Brother Walfrid, a Marist Brother priest from Ireland. Brother Walfrid was also a teacher and formed the club to alleviate poverty in Glasgow. A statue of Brother Walfrid sits proudly outside the main entrance of Celtic Park.

Oxfam is committed to tackling poverty around the world and one of the charity's biggest campaigns is called Health and Education For All. The campaign aims to get more children into schools around the world and fights for better access to health care for the world's poorest people.

Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: "Oxfam is very excited about this partnership and we hope it will result in football fans across Scotland knowing more about the vital work that Oxfam does, and how they can help make a difference.

"Celtic was formed by Brother Walfrid to help alleviate poverty in Glasgow's East End and Oxfam exists to tackle poverty all over the world. The two institutions are well matched in that regard and together we hope to highlight the hardships facing millions of people in Africa, and also the way out of poverty for millions of Africans.

"This year's World Cup, the first ever in Africa, is the perfect opportunity to remind people here how important their donations and support are in the fight to end poverty. We hope to create a lasting legacy from the World Cup and with Celtic and their huge fan base behind us, we know we can make a lasting difference."

Find out more about Oxfam Scotland and Celtic.

Make a donation to the Oxfam Scotland and Celtic World Cup campaign.