James McAvoy Dreams Of Playing Jinky

Jan 6 2008 By Toby Mcdonald

Exclusive Scots Star's Dream To Play Celtic Hero Jinky

ACTOR James McAvoy wants to fill the boots of football legend Jimmy Johnstone.

The Last King Of Scotland star has revealed his dream role is to play Celtic winger Jinky on the big screen.

At 5ft 7in, McAvoy is just three inches taller than the Lisbon Lion who died almost two years ago aged 61 after battling motor neurone disease.

McAvoy, 28, said: "If I could play any person in a movie, it would be Jimmy Johnstone, the legendary winger for Glasgow Celtic.

"He was such an inspiration and hero, especially to a small guy like me."

Jinky was a hero to Celtic fans in the old Jungle terracing.

He made 515 appearances for his club, scored 129 goals and helped Celtic win the European Cup against Inter Milan in Lisbon in 1967.

McAvoy, raised in Drumchapel, Glasgow, regularly joins friends in London for a kickabout.

He said: "In my spare time, I play twice a week in London.

"My life is the same as it always was and I still try to play as much football as I can.

"It's just 30 guys and me in a sports complex.

"I have the black away Celtic strip and the green third strip which I wear at my five-a-side Sunday games."

McAvoy, who shot to fame as a professional car thief in Shameless, has been nominated for a best actor Golden Globe for Atonement in which he stars with Keira Knightley.

And the Scot is set for a huge year in Hollywood, hitting the big screen again next month in the modern fairytale Penelope.

The Scot stars with Christina Ricci in the romantic comedy about a girl who is cursed with a pig nose and needs to find true love to break the spell.

James plays loveable rogue Max, who helps Penelope come to terms with having to live with her snout.

McAvoy loved his playboy character and starring alongside Christina of Addams Family fame. He said: "Max is a reprobate, a gambling addict.

"He is just as damaged and trapped as Penelope.

"His social disfigurement is his addictions and Max and Penelope seem to help each other."

McAvoy is also full of praise for the movie's firsttime director Mark Palansky.

He said: "He is a fabulous movie director and understands his role as a storyteller.

"Mark knows how to marshal his assets and works his crew and the actors to maximum effect."

Penelope is released in UK cinemas on February 1.