Celtic, Scottish Football, Scottish Premier

Celtic Legend Billy McNeill Dies Age 79

Celtic Legend Billy McNeill Dies Age 79

One of the most revered players ever to pull on the Green & White Hoops of Celtic, Billy McNeill sadly died on 22 April 2019 age 79. He will be best remembered as the leader of the Lisbon Lions who were the first British team (and only Scottish team to date) to win the European Cup or Champions League as it is now known.

Billy McNeill’s statue outside Celtic Park TreasureGalore / Shutterstock.com

Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on 2nd March 1940 He was signed for Celtic by another legend Jock Stein, from Blantyre Victoria. He would go on to play 486 times for Celtic and win a slew of trophies with them, including the biggest of all the European Cup in 1967, when they beat Inter Milan 2-1.

He was a key member of the Celtic side which won 9 consecutive Scottish Division One Championships between 1965-6 and 1973-4. He also captained the squad in the 1970 European Cup Final and won several Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup winners medals before retiring as a player in 1975. He played 29 times for Scotland national team and despite being a Central Defender scored three times.

He had two spells as Celtic manager guiding them to four Scottish League Championships and also won three Scottish Cups & a Scottish League Cup, and after ending his managerial career spent many years in media and as Ambassador for the club.

The games respect for him is evidenced by the number of tweets sent out, none more fitting than that from Celtics greatest rivals Glasgow Rangers.

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