HUGHES A COLOSSUS
Craig hails old friend ‘Big Yogi’ as Celtic mourn passing of legend
JIM CRAIG reckoned Celtic legend John Hughes — who passed away on Monday — was a colossus.
Hughes died at the age of 79 following a short illness.
The Coatbridge-born attacker scored 189 goals for Celtic from 1959 to 1971.
‘Big Yogi’ won 17 major honours and was part of the 1967 Lisbon Lions European Cup-winning squad.
The ex-Scotland forward did not play in that Lisbon triumph, but appeared in the 1970 European Cup final defeat by
Feyenoord.
Lions favourite Craig said: “My stand-out memory of John goes before our
Celtic days.
“As 15 year olds we played against each other in the Schoolboys’ Scottish Cup.
“When our opponents’ bus arrived, this giant stepped off it.
“We were all 15. I was skinny as a poker, but big John looked like a colossus. From another planet, to be honest!
“They beat us 6-0 and he scored all six of them from centre-forward.”
Talent
Yogi was loved by fans and teammates as Craig added: “John was a big, easy going fella and one whose talent was not always appreciated.
“For a big guy, he had wonderful control with a ball at his feet.
“He did it brilliantly. What he did at Celtic was just superb.”
One of Hughes’ last acts was to celebrate a Celtic goal, his son has revealed.
Hoops great Hughes raised a fist to herald an early goal by fellow Coatbridge native Stephen Welsh in Celtic’s televised 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday, after taking in the pre-match rendition ofYou’ll Never Walk Alone.
His son, John, one of four children to Hughes and wife Theresa, wrote on Twitter: “He rallied one last time on Sunday to sing us ‘Grace’ as best he could.
“His last conscious acts were hanging on for YNWA & giving us a wee fist pump celebration for Stephen’s goal.
“There is undeniable magic about this club we all love. A Celtic man until his last breath.”
Hughes scored 189 goals in 416 games for Celtic from 1959 to 1971 and won a European Cup winners’ medal in 1967, although he did not play in the final. He played in the 1970 European Cup final defeat by Feyenoord after netting in the last four against Leeds, before joining Crystal Palace in 1971.
Family
Palace paid tribute to their former player, writing: “We are saddened to learn that former player John ‘Yogi’ Hughes has passed away, and our thoughts are with his friends and family.
“Hughes is most fondly remembered among supporters for scoring one of the club’s greatest goals, against Sheffield United in a 5-1 win.
“After entertaining fans along the left in 23 Palace matches, Hughes’ south London spell was cut short by a knee injury, and he retired after a short stint with Sunderland.”
Celtic paid tribute when the news broke late on Monday night.
“Everyone at Celtic Football Club is extremely sad to hear of the passing of Lisbon Lion, John ‘Yogi’ Hughes, who has died at the age of 79, and the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with John’s family and friends at this extremely sad time,”they said.