A TEENAGE Celtic fan had her spirits lifted this week when she received a message for one of the team's star players following a cancer diagnosis.

Natalie Smith, 18, who lives in Dalry but hails from the Three Towns, was in shock when Celtic's Young Player of the Year, Kieran Tierney, sent her a message of support after she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The 19-year-old left back sent a message to the former St John's Primary and St Matthew's Academy pupil which said: "Hi Natalie, gutted to hear about your news! I'm just giving you a message to tell you to keep strong and always be yourself and whatever you do always have a smile on your face! There's a lot of people supporting you! Keep strong and keep watching Hannah Montana haha!!"

Natalie's story has reached fans from around the world and the teenager has been sent countless messages of support and she wanted to thank her friend who helped set it up.

She told the Herald: "When I received this message I knew instantly that Scott (my best friend) had something to do with this, he genuinely deserves the credit for making this happen and for Kieran Tierney to get in touch.

"I genuinely thought that the message was a fake account from Celtic fans until I saw the blue tick, the support that everyone from all over the world has sent is honestly surreal but for me I feel that that message has definitely helped me benefit.

"It's lifted the spirits of myself and I couldn't be more grateful for him getting in touch and showing his support."