THE LION SLEEPS
THE Celtic Family came together as they united in grief to pay an emotional farewell at the funeral of Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld.
Former European Cupwinning team-mates, including Jim Craig and John Clark, turned out as supporters lined the streets in tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest ever players. And current boss Ange Postecoglou and his coaching staff were in attendance. Former Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and current chairman Ian
Bankier attended the service, as did Rangers directors Stewart Robertson and Andrew Dickson.
Auld passed away, aged 83, on November 14 following a battle with dementia.
His funeral was held at St Mary’s RC church in Glasgow’s Calton.
Fans gathered all morning at Celtic Way to lay scarves and wreaths at Parkhead where the funeral was broadcast live.
Auld remained a huge figure around the club and that was recognised by some of the modern-day heroes who were in attendance. Former captain and manager Neil Lennon and his predecessor from his second time as boss, Brendan Rodgers, were pictured.
Davie Hay, centenary double winner Frank McAvennie, treble-winning captain Tom Boyd also paid their respects. And from the showbiz world, Scots actor Gianni Capaldi turned out.
At the service, Auld’s largerthan-life personality shone through as friends and relatives hailed “a giant” and “an extraordinary footballer” with “magic patter”.
Auld’s nephew, Ian Cairns, friend Lord Willie Haughey, and former Lisbon Lion teammate Jim Craig laughed and cried as they spoke during the service at the church.
The trio had friends, family, loved ones and supporters in stitches with tales of Bertie’s cheeky sense of humour.
Ian was first to speak during the service, which was led by Canon Tom White.
He joked it was his chance to get revenge for the jibes told about him as a child.
Ian said: “He said I was
so ugly as a baby, they bought me venetian blinds for my pram. “That was Bertie. There was no filter. The person you saw in daylight, that was his character.” Lord Haughey said Bertie believed being a Lisbon Lion “kept him connected to the club forever”. He added: “Over the past 50 years, Tommy Burns and Bertie Auld are the two greatest ambassadors Celtic Football Club could ever wish for. “It’s ironic that both their journeys should end in the place where the dream and the plan was hatched, St Mary’s in the Calton.”
He said Bertie “worked tirelessly” to enhance “the proud reputation of our great club” and “never let anyone down”.
He added: “Bertie Auld was 5ft 6in but he cast the shadow of a giant.”
Fellow Lisbon Lion Jim Craig was overcome with emotion as he spoke, reliving some memories of their time on the pitch together, and Bertie’s famous rendition of The Celtic Song in the tunnel as they headed out for their victorious 1967 European Cup Final.
He said: “He was a great
Celt and, equally importantly, a very nice man. May he rest in peace.”
Canon White said: “This world has been a better place for knowing Bertie Auld.”
The cortege then left the church and headed for Celtic Park on Bertie’s final trip to Paradise.
The silver hearse carrying his coffin was flanked by a sea of green as supporters lined the streets outside Celtic Park.
And just like Auld famously did in the tunnel before the Lisbon triumph, Hoops fans burst into song.
They belted out The Celtic Song as the cortege passed down The Celtic Way. Supporters also serenaded his hearse with renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Sixty Seven – the song celebrating victory over Inter Milan.
William McFadden, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, went to pay his respects.
The 61-year-old said: “He played in the first ever game I went to, a cup game against Partick Thistle at Firhill.
“I met him a couple of times and he was always so nice and had time for everyone.”
Further tributes are planned for Celtic’s home game against Aberdeen tomorrow.