CURRENT CELTS ARE ‘LIKE LISBON LIONS’

BRENDAN Rodg ers’ current Celtic side have a “whiff” of the Lisbon Lions about them, according to chairman Ian Bankier.

On May 25, 1967, Jock Stein’s Hoops became the first British side to capture the European Cup with a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in Portugal’s capital city.

The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Eva Bolander, hosted a civic reception at the City Chambers to mark the 50th anniversary of the achievement and Celtic representatives, including members of the Lisbon Lions, were in attendance.

Bankier drew favourable comparisons with Rodgers’ side — who are unbeaten domestically since the start of the season and on the brink of a treble — and S t e i n ’s a l l - c o n q u e r i n g team, recognised as the greatest to come out of Celtic Park.

“When you look at this team you get a kind of whiff of Lions about them,” he said.

“There is a togetherness which everybody notices and there is a confidence.

“The way the goalkeeper (Craig Gordon) participates in back passes, almost playing around with the opposition. There is real confidence there so there is a definite synergy there.”

Bankier admits Rodgers has more than matched the expectation of the Celtic board since taking over from Ronny Deila.

“We are honest enough to say he has exceeded expectation,” says Bankier. “He is a magnificent and interesting individual.”