FAREWELL CESAR
Tributes paid as Billy McNeill dies aged 79:
TRIBUTES have flooded in for former Celtic captain Billy McNeill who has died at the age of 79.
McNeill, who played for Celtic his whole career, was captain of the famous ‘Lisbon Lions’ side who won the European Cup in 1967 and he also went on to manage the club.
A statement from his children on the Celtic website read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father Billy McNeill.
“He passed away late last night (Monday, April 22) surrounded by his family and loved ones. He suffered from dementia for a number of years and fought bravely to the end, showing the strength and fortitude he always has done throughout his life.”
McNeill joined Celtic in 1957 from junior side Blantyre Victoria and holds the club record for most appearances with 822 over 18 seasons. The defender also won 29 caps for Scotland.
He had two spells as Celtic manager spanning nearly 10 years in total and won 31 trophies across his long association with the club.
The statement continued: “While this is a very sad time for all the family and we know our privacy will be respected, our father always made time for the supporters so please tell his stories, sing his songs and help us celebrate his life.”
Known as Cesar, McNeill was the captain of Jock Stein’s all-conquering Celtic side of the late 1960s and early 70s, winning nine league titles in a row, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups.
He retired in 1975 after winning his final trophy, the Scottish Cup, and retained a strong association with the club throughout the rest of his life, becoming an ambassador in 2009.
Six years later a statue of McNeill holding aloft the European Cup was erected outside Celtic Park.
Peter Lawwell, Celtic chief executive, paid tribute on the club website, saying: “This is the saddest of days for the Celtic family, and also for the wider football world.
“We mourn Billy McNeill’s passing and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, while we also give thanks for Billy’s life and the incredible joy he brought to so many people as a Celtic player, a Celtic manager and a great Celtic man.”
Celtic manager Neil Lennon paid his own emotional tribute.
“When you think of Celtic and our incredible history, Billy McNeill is always one of the first names that comes to mind. He was our greatest ever captain and one of our greatest ever players, and along with his team-mates, achieved historic things for Celtic in the 1960s and ’70s”, Lennon said.
He added: “I love Billy’s statue, which is the first thing you see whenever you walk up The Celtic Way.
“It’s the perfect image of him, holding aloft the European Cup, and it will remind future generations of supporters of what a great Celtic man he was.”
Former Celtic star Frank McAvennie paying tribute said: “No words can explain how I feel about my old gaffer at @CelticFC passing away last night, love and prayers to Liz and family, RIP Boss Thanks for everything.”
While football pundit and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton tweeted: “Such heartbreaking news. Billy McNeill was an inspirational leader, a legend and a lion. Thoughts go out to his family and the Celtic family.”
Former Celtic striker Frank McGarvey, who McNeill signed from Liverpool in 1980, told Press Association Sport: “It is a very very sad day.
“He was loved by all the players and you don’t hear that about all managers.
“He was the captain of the first team to win the European Cup. As a manager, he was a great manager.
“He won a lot of trophies with Celtic on and off the pitch but not only that, he was a great person, a fantastic man. He would do anything to help you.
“He will be sadly missed.” While they might have been rivals on the pitch in their playing days, former Rangers captain John Greig said McNeill was also a friend.
Greig said: “It’s very sad news. I realise Billy has been unwell for quite a while and I’ve lost a very good friend today.
“We have been close for many, many years. Although we were big opponents on the field we had a mutual respect for each other off it.
“As Old Firm captains, we were asked to do a lot of public engagements together. We were even given doctorates from the University of Glasgow on the same day in 2008.
“Apart from being a great football player and a great captain for a great Celtic side, he was also a great guy, a real gentleman and I’ll miss him.”
Aberdeen, who McNeil managed in the 1970s, tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our former manager, Billy McNeill who has passed away at the age of 79.”
Hibernian tweeted: “Everyone at Easter Road was saddened to hear of the passing of Billy McNeill, who spent a short time at Hibs as mentor to then-manager Jim Duffy.”
The Scottish Professional Football League tweeted: “The SPFL are saddened to learn of the passing of @ CelticFC legend Billy McNeill.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and all at Celtic at this time.”
McNeil’s former team-mate Jim Craig tweeted: “Heartbroken over the passing of my great friend and captain Billy McNeill. A huge blow for the Celtic family but a devastating loss for Liz, Susan Libby Carol, Paula and Martyn.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them today. RIP my friend.”
Fans began to gather at Celtic Park today to pay tribute.
Mary Taylor said: “I’ve come to pay my respects for one of the greatest Celts ever.
“I’m devastated – absolutely devastated.
“It’s a tough one for everyone at Celtic to take
“He just embodies what Celtic meant, a gentleman, a family man and Celtic to core.”