The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Thousands gather for Billy McNeill’s funeral
Final respects paid to the Celtic legend at Glasgow service
Fans and football greats gathered in their thousands to pay their final respects to Celtic and Scotland legend Billy McNeill yesterday.
A funeral mass for the first British man to lift the European Cup took place at St Aloysius’ Church in Glasgow.
Afterwards the cortege made its way to Celtic Park, where thousands of fans gathered to remember the club’s former captain and manager.
McNeill, who had lived with dementia since 2010, died aged 79 on April 22.
The funeral service was attended by famous names from the world of football, including former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish and the surviving members of the Lisbon Lions.
Archbishop Philip Tartaglia began his homily by offering “heartfelt and prayerful sympathies” to McNeill’s wife of 56 years, Liz, and children Susan, Carol, Libby, Paula and Martyn.
He told the congregation the former defender, who had eight grandchildren, endured his ill health with “dignity and courage”.
Archbishop Tartaglia added: “As Glasgow Celtic’s most famous captain, Billy also belonged to another family, the Celtic family, who adored him as their hero and who mourn his passing.”
McNeill’s son Martyn described his parents as “the original Posh and Becks” and shared anecdotes of a loving family life.
He said: “We are not here to mourn the passing of a legend. We are here to say thank you for having so much more.”
Broadcaster Archie Macpherson addressed the congregation, which included Celtic manager Neil Lennon and club captain Scott Brown, first team squad and members of the board.
Former Celtic managers Brendan Rodgers, Gordon Strachan and Martin O’Neill also turned out to pay their respects to the man known as Cesar.
Old Firm rivals Rangers were represented by Ibrox legend John Greig, Gordon Smith, Willie Henderson and former boss Walter Smith.
After the service the cortege was greeted with a standing ovation as it passed through Glasgow city centre to Celtic Park where fans had gathered to watch the service on a big screen.
Supporters clapped and cheered as the coffin was driven past the front of the stadium and down Celtic Way to McNeill’s bronze statute, which is surrounded by hundreds of floral tributes.
The Bellshill-born defender McNeill led Celtic to nine successive league titles, seven Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as the European Cup in 1967. He managed the club twice, leading it eight more honours including a centenary year league and cup double in 1988.
He won 29 caps for his country and also managed Clyde, Aberdeen, Manchester City and Aston Villa in the 1970s and 80s.
As Glasgow Celtic’s most famous captain, Billy also belonged to another family, the Celtic family, who adored him as their hero and who mourn his passing. ARCHBISHOP TARTAGLIA