Dalglish: I was in awe as Lions captain gave me a lift to training
Sir Kenny Dalglish has revealed how the “wonderful education” he received from Billy Mcneill during his early days at Celtic helped put him on the road to his own moment of European glory.
Dalglish was 17 years old when he broke into the Celtic first team just 18 months after Mcneill had become the first British man to lift the European Cup following the club’s historic triumph over Inter Milan in Lisbon.
On a meagre wage at Parkhead, a car was beyond the future Scotland and Liverpool star’s means at that time, so he would often take a lift from the Celtic captain to and from training.
It was those journeys which helped cement into Dalglish’s mind the standards required to reach the top.
And the lessons proved fruitful as he went on to replicate the success enjoyed by Mcne ll and the Lisbon Lions aft aking his move to Anfie d, where he lifted the E times.
Paying ribute to Mcneill, who die on Monday aged 79 follo a battle with dementi alglish said: “My con to Billy’s fa ved ones. Ma I are deeply sadde by the news as we have nown the family for the best part of 50 years.
“I coun myself as being extremely privileged to have bee a team-mate of Billy’s nd also his friend. as an inspirational leader on th pitch but, just as i rtantly, he offere wise counsel off the pi ch.
“This is a sad time but also period to reflect and emember the happym emories. I’ll never forg ow, as a 17-yearold, got to train with Billy and other Lisbon Lion in 1968-69. I was in aw hey made every young p ayer feel welcome. “They never excluded you fro anything, even to th point where Bil
ly n the southside of w and take raining. I ’t have a car so I relied on Billy and o hers such as Jim C aig, pictured, and B ie Auld.
Billy looked after you or made sure you were looked after. That was his way. He set extremely high standards and others followed that exemplary leadership and kindness.
“Sharing the journeys in the car with Billy taught me how to handle success and be humble.
“To spend time with the Celtic captain was a wonderful education and stood me in good stead for my professional career and also as a person.”
Tributes to Mcneill – who played a record 790 games for Celtic and twice managed the club as he racked up an incredible 31-trophy haul – have poured in from around the world since news of his death was revealed by his family on Tuesday. Fans continue to flock to Celtic Park to lay wreaths and scarves at the former Scotland defender’s statue.
And Dalglish’s says his thoughts are now with Mcneill’s wife Liz and their five children Susan, Paula, Libby, Carol and Martyn.
“Billy achieved amazing things in his career as a player and manager and he thoroughly deserved it all,” he added. “He was a wonderful person and a great family man.
“Liz has lost her husband, the children have lost their dad and the grandkids have their lost their grandfather. Right now, that overrides everything, including football.”