10 LOCAL HEROES. . . AND A ‘FOREIGNER’ FROM 30 MILES AWAY!
RONNIE SIMPSON
Goalkeeper and father of the team. Made his league debut for Queen’s Park in 1945, aged 14. A month before the European Cup final he became the oldest man to make his Scotland debut, aged 36, against England at Wembley. Twice an FA Cup winner with Newcastle. Kept his false teeth in his cap in the back of the net. Died in 2004. BORN: King’s Park, four miles from Celtic Park
JIM CRAIG
Attacking right back. Conceded the seventh-minute penalty that allowed Inter to settle into their favoured defensive mode, then set up the 63rd-minute equaliser for fellow full back Tommy Gemmell. Now 74, he became a dentist on retiring and is still closely involved with supporters’ groups. BORN: Govan, six miles from Celtic Park
TOMMY GEMMELL
Right-footed left back with a ferocious shot and a big personality, his equalising goal in Lisbon was a defining moment. Three years later he became the first British player to score in two European Cup finals when he fired home from outside the box against Feyenoord. Died this year. BORN: Motherwell, 11 miles from Celtic Park
BOBBY MURDOCH
A chunky, unexceptional forward who was transformed into an exceptional midfielder by Jock Stein. Allied accuracy of passing with goals. His shot set up the winning goal in Lisbon. In 1973, Jack Charlton made him his first signing for Middlesbrough, where he advised a young Graeme Souness. Died in 2001 at 56. BORN: Bothwell, seven miles from Celtic Park
BILLY McNEILL
First Briton to lift the European Cup. The original captain, leader, legend. One of few players in the early 1960s to own a car. Nicknamed Cesar after Hollywood actor Cesar Romero, who played a getaway driver in Ocean’s Eleven in 1960. Cut his teeth as a manager at Aberdeen, where he was succeeded by Alex Ferguson. Now 77 and suffering from dementia. BORN: Bellshill, nine miles from Celtic Park
JOHN CLARK
Quiet man of the team. While McNeill dominated in the air, Clark swept up everything around him, hence his nickname The Brush. Now 76 and still the club’s kit man. BORN: Bellshill, nine miles from Celtic Park
JIMMY JOHNSTONE
Red-haired, hot-tempered and Celtic to the core, the 5ft 2in winger was voted the club’s greatest player by fans in 2002. Inspired by Stanley Matthews, Jinking Jimmy honed his skills dribbling round milk bottles in his parents’ hallway while wearing pit boots. Tormented opponents and employers alike but Stein drove him to unimagined heights. Died in 2006 from motor neurone disease. BORN: Viewpark, seven miles from Celtic Park
WILLIE WALLACE
Only member of the team to arrive after Stein, who bought him from Hearts for a club-record £30,000. Six months later he was a Lisbon Lion. Now 76, he has lived in Australia for 35 years but is back in Scotland for the celebrations. BORN: Kirkintilloch, nine miles from Celtic Park
STEVIE CHALMERS
Quiet and unassuming man who overcame near-fatal TB meningitis to become the most prolific Celtic striker of the 1960s. Quick and intelligent poacher, as demonstrated by the flick six minutes from time that diverted Murdoch’s shot and won the European Cup. Broke a leg in the 1969 Scottish League Cup final. Remained unmatched as a striker until the arrival of Henrik Larsson three decades later. Now 81 and suffering from dementia. His son Paul played for Celtic in the 1980s. BORN: Roystonhill, three miles from Celtic Park
BERTIE AULD
Shipped out of Celtic to Birmingham in 1961 but returned in 1965 weeks before Stein arrived and was moulded into an energetic midfield foil for Murdoch. Unnerved Inter players by bellowing ‘the Celtic Song’ in the tunnel. Now 79, he is a fans’ favourite and the heartbeat of the surviving Lions. BORN: Maryhill, six miles from Celtic Park
BOBBY LENNOX
The ‘foreigner’ who arrived at Celtic from the Ayrshire coast. While Johnstone tied opponents in knots on the right, Lennox simply sped past them on the left. Bobby Charlton said of him: ‘If I’d had Lennox in my team, I could have played forever. He was one of the best strikers I have ever seen.’ Now 73. BORN: Saltcoats, 30 miles from Celtic Park