Family tears For matt
Mum’s‘heart is broken’
Celtic Football Club led the tributes to East Kilbride man Matthew McCombe who was tragically found dead after going missing in Amsterdam.
Matthew, who is the grandson of Hoops legend Billy McNeill, was found in a canal at the Molenkade in the city’s Duivendrecht last Wednesday morning after an 18-day search.
He had vanished from a hotel in Amsterdam on March 14 while on a trip celebrating his 21st birthday.
His devastated mum Paula said her “heart is broken” as she broke the tragic news to family and friends on social media.
Paula, who is the daughter of the late Lisbon Lion Billy McNeill, had begged the ‘Celtic family’ to help find her missing son.
Describing Matthew as a “fine young man”, the club said it was “devastated” by the tragedy.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: “The passing of Matthew is devastating news for the entire McNeill family and our thoughts and prayers are very much with all family members at such a very difficult time.
“We know the search for Matthew has been long and difficult and everyone at the club is hugely saddened that it has concluded in this way, with such a heartbreaking result.
“For such a fine young man to be taken so early in his life is a real tragedy. Clearly, we will be here to offer the McNeill family our absolute, heartfelt support.”
Matthew was last seen on Saturday, March 14 when he left the Novotel without his phone, passport or wallet.
His distraught parents Paula and Charlie had travelled to the Netherlands to make a desperate appeal for information on Dutch TV.
Amsterdam Police have now launched an investigation into how Matthew died.
Breaking the awful news, Paula said: “It is with great sadness that we are announcing our son Matthew McCombe’s body was found this morning.
“Matthew was much loved by all and our hearts are broken.
“We would like to thank everyone who has helped in the search for Matthew and for the love, compassion and kindness that has been extended to us since our arrival in Amsterdam.
“As a family we would kindly ask for our privacy to be respected in these sad times.”
Heartfelt tributes and messages of support for the McCombe and McNeill families have been pouring in. Matthew’s former high school, St Andrew’s and St Bride’s, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Matthew and his family at this terrible time. He was such a popular pupil with staff and peers alike. Eternal rest.”
The PE department added: “We are heartbroken to hear about Matthew. He was a talented athlete and captained the football team helping them to achieve many successes. He was a pleasure to teach.”