Celtic a perfect draw for Adams

Arsenal - 1 Celtic - 1 TONY ADAM'S TESTIMONIAL : Tony Adams' testimonial between English double winners Arsenal and Scottish…

Arsenal - 1 Celtic - 1TONY ADAM'S TESTIMONIAL: Tony Adams' testimonial between English double winners Arsenal and Scottish champions Celtic ended all square at Highbury last night.

In an entertaining game, Celtic's Alan Thompson smacked home a 20-yard free-kick in the 37th minute to give the Scots a deserved 1-0 lead.

And veteran Lee Dixon stole Adams' thunder in the 68th minute - equalising with a very rare goal, a firm header from Nigel Winterburn's cross.

Arsenal's England stars David Seaman, Martin Keown, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell were forced to miss the match as they were on the national team's flight to the World Cup training camp in Dubai.

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But the sell-out 38,021 Highbury crowd did not complain, as their replacements - West Ham's Nigel Winterburn and retired trio Steve Bould, John Lukic and Ian Wright - all received heroes' welcomes.

Adams (35), has been at Highbury for 19 years and is considering whether to retire this summer.

He is donating around £250,000 from last night's profits to the Sporting Chance charity he set up to help sportsmen and women with drink, drug and gambling problems.

Celtic, who had already beaten Manchester United (4-3), Leeds (4-1) and Leicester (1-0) in testimonials this season, attacked throughout, and their 6,000 fans who had made the 800-mile round trip from Glasgow created a thrilling atmosphere.

Mohammed Sylla was a handful all night and twice went close to doubling the Scots' lead just before the hour mark.

Former Arsenal favourite Ian Wright received a thunderous welcome when he came off the bench late on - but that paled into insignificance compared to the deafening standing ovation for Adams when he was substituted in the last minute.