Pride of Lions Heroes of 1967 honoured at civic reception

The 50th anniversary of Celtic’s achievement in becoming the first British side to capture the European Cup was marked with a civic reception at the City Chambers in Glasgow yesterday hosted by the Lord Provost, Eva Bolander.

Members of the Lisbon Lions, including captain Billy Mcneill, were in attendance to mark the day in 1967 when Jock Stein’s side defeated Internazionale 2-1 in the final in the Portuguese capital.

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said the club would never give up trying to emulate that landmark triumph but admitted it would be very difficult.

“You would never banish these hopes and ambitions from your mind,” he said.

“Right here, right now, it’s very difficult because of the economics of Scottish football. The only thing I would say as chairman of the club is you never, ever give up.”

0 From left: Willie Wallace, Charlie Gallagher, Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig, Glasgow Lord Provost Eva Bolander, current Celtic chairman Ian Bankier, John Hughes, 1967 captain Billy Mcneill, John Fallon and John Clark at the City Chambers.