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Celtic icon Billy Mcneill eill has been praised for leaving a lasting legacy cy at Blantyre Vics three ee decades after he brought ht the Hoops to town.
In 1990, Vics’ chiefs were re looking to raise cash to build ld a new stand at Castle Park and nd launched several fundraisers. s.
The club decided to reach h out to the Lisbon Lion, who had started ted his playing career for the side, to o see if they could convince him to play a charity side.
‘Cesar’, who was in his second spell as Parkhead gaffer, happily obliged and brought an impressive roster of stars – which instantly became the biggest ever club to visit the junior team.
Blockbuster names like skipper Stevie Fulton, Peter Grant, Gerry Creaney and Anton Rogue provided a huge test for manager Tommy Coggil as they ran out 6-2 winners.
Vics’ committee member Andy Mcdade has heaped praise on the impact of the Scotland cap on the non-league side.
He said: “We had a fundraiser to build the new pavilion here, and because Billy had played here we had one of our players go and ask him if he would come here for a charity game.
“They brought some side down; they beat us quite comfortably I can assure you!
“There was over 3000 people at the ground and we made quite a wee bit of money.
“That helped to build the building. “Billy was very, very good with the club and he was well- liked throughout Scottish football.
“He was a gentleman and it was great for the club.
“By that time he was the manager of Celtic so it was a big, big draw for us.
“The full town came out. We play in blue, but on that day the full park was green.
“It was a great day for the town and the club.
“The town was buzzing for weeks and weeks before and after the game.
“The legacy of the game lives on with the pavilion still standing here, and so does Billy’s legacy at the club.”
The visitors raced into a twogoal lead with goals from Dugald Mccarrison and Alex Mathie, but the Vics pegged them back with a Michael Inglis solo-effort
Mathie and Mccarrison both got their braces in the second half for the Glasgow giants, before Steve Murray struck a wonderful free-kick for Blantyre to pull a second back.
Former Manchester City man Creaney would complete the rout and add a fifth and sixth of the afternoon.
Mcdade admits it could have been a more comfortable victory for Mcneill’s men.
He laughed: “They scored six – but lets just say they took their time!
“They passed the ball about a bit and could have probably scored a few more.
“They probably kept possession a bit more than they should have instead of scoring goals.”
A Celtic XI returned to Castle Park three years later to open the new stand – and cement Mcneill’s lasting impact on the club.