Tributes to John – the boss who made his players feel 10 feet tall
Football world mourns Lambie
It was a privilege and honour to play for him and be named his captain Danny Lennon
Tributes have been paid to West Lothian football icon John Lambie who passed away on Tuesday aged 77.
The eccentric Whitburn man was known for his chain-smoking, colourful language and quick wit during a career that included four spells as Partick Thistle manager and two at Hamilton Accies.
He once famously said “Just get him back out there and tell him he’s Pele” to the Jags’ physio when told Colin McGlashan didn’t know who he was after a head knock.
Born in Whitburn, he began his playing career at his local club before moving to the senior ranks.
He spent 16 seasons as a player with Falkirk and St Johnstone before moving into coaching, firstly at Saints and then under Eddie Turnbull and Bertie Auld at Hibs. He also had a spell in charge at Armadale Thistle.
He guided Accies to two First Division titles, in 1986 and 1988, and famously knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup. He was appointed Partick Thistle manager in 1988 for the first time, then spent five years at the club from 1990, securing Premier Division promotion in 1992.
Following a short spell as Falkirk boss, he returned to Maryhill and once again guided the Jags to the top flight. Fellow Whitburn man and current Clyde boss Danny Lennon was Lambie’s inspirational skipper who led the club to the Second and First Division titles in 2001 and 2002, securing his place alongside his gaffer and mentor in the Firhill Hall of Fame.
He said: “He lived on the same street as me when I was a kid growing up in Whitburn. He was coach at Hibs and we used to play on the pitch at the back of his house hoping he’d look out the window and catch our fledgling talent.
“John’s fantastic knowledge of football must never be forgotten. You could not win as many promotions and championships as he did without understanding the game and its players. He was especially good at building teams and a man of enormous personal integrity. It was a privilege and honour to play for him and be named his captain.
“He made his players feel 10 feet tall.”
A statement from the SFA said: “We are deeply saddened by the news about John, who was a much loved figure within our game. Our thoughts are with his family.”
A Par tick Thistle statement said: “All at Partick Thistle are devastated to learn that former manager, Hall of Fame inductee and Thistle legend, John Lambie has passed away.”