Hundreds turn out to honour Bobby
Event celebrates the life of late Lisbon Lion
Over 100 Celtic fans turned out on Friday to honour the late Bobby Murdoch at Rutherglen Town Hall.
A special print recognising Bobby’s incredible achievements for the Hoops was unveiled and will now go on permanent display in the building.
Members of Bobby’s family were there, including his widow Kathleen and 93-year-old mother Barbara.
Also there was Patricia Morrow, a childhood friend of Bobby’s who first put the idea to South Lanarkshire Council.
Dignitaries included his former teammates and Lisbon Lions John Clark, John Hughes and Bertie Auld, as well as Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell and broadcasting legend Archie MacPherson.
From Rutherglen, Lord McAvoy - a childhood friend of Bobby’s - spoke of their time at St Columbkille’s Primary and especially the time they won the Glasgow Cup for the school.
Council leader Eddie McAvoy was there along with councillors Gerard Killen, Denis McKenna and Brian McKenna as was Gordon McHugh, chief executive of Kilbryde Hospice, who runs the annual Bobby Murdoch football competition.
Speaking about Bobby as a player, Archie MacPherson said the dearth of Scottish talent in the modern game made him appreciate seeing men like Bobby at their peak.
Of his Rutherglen roots, Lord McAvoy said: “Burnhill, Spittal and the town helped to make Bobby the man he was.”
Speaking to the Reformer after the event, his former teammates paid tribute to Bobby.
John Clark said: “He was a really good player, very skilful with both feet, he could pass the ball easily with both feet.
“Football nowadays doesn’t have a player like him. People say the game has changed but no one can do what he could do.
“He was very down to earth, a really good guy.”
Bertie Auld was just as forthcoming with his praise.
“He had this tremendous way of expressing himself in the game. “He had everything in his locker - passing, finishing and aggression. He was so special to the dressing room. There were 11 of us in there and every one was a leader, including Bobby.”
Patricia Morrow, who originally came to the Reformer with the idea just over a year ago, was delighted to see her suggestion come to fruition.
“It’s just fantastic this has happened. Bobby was a Rutherglen boy and I’m sure everyone is very proud of what he did.
“I have to say if it had not been for Eddie McAvoy this would not have happened.”
Bobby’s son, Bobby junior, added: “We just want to thank everyone who has been involved in this process. It’s been a very special day for the family.”
Bobby was a member of the famous Celtic team which lifted the European Cup in Lisbon in 1967. He also won eight league medals, four Scottish Cup honours and five League cup gongs.
After leaving Celtic, he made almost 100 appearances for Middlesbrough.
He played 12 times for Scotland at a time international caps were harder to come by, scoring six goals in the process.
Sadly, he died in 2001 at the age of 56.