Terraces prepare a warm tribute after passing of two former Celts
A MINUTE’S applause will be held at Parkhead today to mark the death of two former Celtic players.
Football fans will pay tribute to Jim Brogan and former Celtic reserve player Graeme Morrison.
Former left-back Brogan died at the age of 74 on Monday surrounded by family at Moffat Street Care Home in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.
He had been battling dementia prior in the years before his death.
His funeral will be held at 10am today at St Andrew’s Cathedral followed by a short service at Linn Crematorium.
Morrison died at the age of just 41 after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Falkirk-born centrehalf, who joined the Glasgow giants on an “S” form – schoolboy – in 1991, was a regular in the youth and reserve sides between signing as a professional in 1994 and leaving to join Tampere in Finland in 1999.
In a statement ahead of the game against Aberdeen, Celtic said: “There will be a minute’s applause before Saturday’s match against Aberdeen in tribute to former Celt Jim Brogan, who sadly passed away at the age of 74 in the early hours of Monday morning after a long battle against dementia.
“Jim played 341 times for Celtic, scoring nine goals and playing his part in winning 14 honours with the club during a 12-year period. He made his debut as far back as Email news@ eveningtimes.co.uk or
0141 302 6520 1963, but it wasn’t until the 1968/69 season that he could be considered a first-team regular and he remained with the club until 1975.
“The minute’s applause will also mark the sad passing of former Celtic reserve player, Graeme Morrison, who lost his battle with illness this week.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with the families and friends of Jim Brogan and Graeme Morrison at this sad time.”
We reported earlier this week that Jim’s daughter Colette Farren paid tribute to her dad by saying he was the “most outstanding daddy” who never missed a parents’ evening despite his high-profile football career.
Jim, who had a “massive love of the Hoops”, had been battling dementia, a condition his family is convinced was linked to his life on the pitch.
The club paid tribute by describing their former player as one of Celtic’s “unsung heroes.”
Jim also ran a number of bars in Glasgow after he hung up his boots.