The 10-year-old Celtic and Giorgios Samaras fan, Jay Beatty, has been invited to Greece to receive a sports award.

The Greek Sport Journalists’ Association has decided to invite Jay and his father to the event for their 60th anniversary, which took place on Monday 15 December.

“Our association has decided to honour the friendship between Jay and Georgios Samaras, for the message of humanity and sensitivity that they sent worldwide,” an association representative said.

Jay’s father Martin has confirmed they will be travelling to Athens, and has taken the time to thank all the support their family has received.

“It’s hard to believe that a 10-year-old boy with Down’s Syndrome will be flying to Athens to receive this,” he said.

“To each and every one of you who has treated Jay with so much love and respect and to the Celtic support, this award is as much yours as it is Jay’s.”

Jay, who suffers from Down Syndrome, shot to international fame when Samaras plucked him from the stands at his last game for Celtic and took him on a lap of the stadium and introduced him to the team.

Jay is also a big Greece fan, and was filmed jumping for joy when Samaras scored a goal for the national team at the World Cup.

“This boy gives me so much strength, it’s incredible,” Samaras told Greek media. “There are no words. I feel his love so much. This love I feel, is also felt by many people in Greece.”