Cesar Billy McNeill - Rest In Peace Cesar.

RIP to a true legend of the game. Only a handful of players will get close to what Billy achieved, and none will do so with just one club. What a hero!

This photo is the most iconic in Celtic history


Only right that it is remembered forever outside CP

 

Sad day. Greatest ever Celt.

 

Wept watching that.

 

The thoughts of everyone at the Scottish FA are with the family and friends of former Celtic and Scotland captain Billy McNeill, who has sadly passed away.

In a celebrated football career, Billy McNeill captained Celtic during the most successful period for a Scottish club of all time, winning nine Scottish League Championships, seven Scottish Cups and six Scottish League Cups.

He became the first British player to lift the European Cup, captaining the Lisbon Lions team in their historic victory in 1967. In total, he made more than 800 appearances for Celtic in a playing career that also saw him earn 29 caps for Scotland.

Following his retirement he managed Celtic on two occasions, adding a further four Scottish League Championships, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup to his trophy haul.

Scottish FA President Alan McRae has paid tribute to the Scottish football legend following his passing.

“The Scottish football family has lost one of its all-time greats. Billy was, quite simply, an icon of Scottish football – a natural leader who, though synonymous with Celtic, was respected throughout the entire Scottish footballing fraternity.

“A solid, uncompromising defender, his greatest talent was inspiring his teammates to reach new heights. His standards on and off the pitch were impeccable and he was a true ambassador for the best of the Scottish game wherever he travelled.

“Billy’s unprecedented honour-laden playing career came during a golden era for Scottish football. Though the man known as ‘Cesar’ to Celtic fans is predominately known for his club career, his Scotland career also saw him help the team to new heights – in his first match as captain of Scotland he led the team to a 1-0 victory over England in front of more than 133,000 fans at Hampden Park.

“He will go down in history for his achievements in Scottish football and was rightfully among the inaugural inductees into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

“The likes of Billy will never be seen again. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. Scottish football will remember him, always.”

 

Aye was a hard watch, Charlie was really upset talking about it.

 

absolutely gutted. He is a legend to all associated with Celtic and scotland. Our greatest ever captain. RIP Billy. You will never walk alone!

 

He's no the only man shedding a few tears the day...

 

If ever any other reason was needed for our current team, who are privileged to wear our strip, then they need to go out and show the world over the next five weeks how to win the Celtic way.

The statue at the start of The Celtic Way is the most iconic moment in our history. Every member of staff at the club should aspire to emulate this.

 

What a Great quote mate, "privileged to wear our strip". It is the greatest honour of any footballer to pull the Hoops on

 

I’m really struggling with this, my long since deceased father was at school with “Big Wullie” at Our Lady’s. I remember fondly the days in the late 70’s going up to the park and we would be welcomed in. Then meeting up with the McNeils whilst in America on holiday.

You look at heroes, you think they will be with you forever, like my father sadly they are mortal and they must leave us.

Billy McNeil is one of the select few who achieved immortality and will be remembered forever, not just at Celtic, as being the captain of the first British team to lift the big cup.

A truly sad sad day for his family. I hope they draw comfort from how much he was admired, respected and loved.

 

Listening to Jim Craig trying to hold it together on radio Scotland.
Heartbreaking.

 

LISBON Lion Jim Craig has paid tribute to Billy McNeill, his friend of over 50 years. The two men, along with their team-mates, achieved extraordinary success in their playing careers with Celtic, but their friendship extended way beyond that time.

Speaking today, Jim Craig said: “It is very sad news. Billy was such a nice guy, easy to get on with and that’s all you can ask from someone. He never made any demands on you, he was just happy in your company and that’s what I’ll miss the most.

“I first met him in unusual circumstances. I was the captain of the Scottish schoolboys team in 1961 for a game against England, which was the only international match we played at that time at Under-18 level. The match was held at Celtic Park, and before the game Billy, who had played in the same fixture just three years earlier, was brought into the dressing-room.

“By that time he was playing for Celtic and he was an example of how we could improve and how we could get on and the level we could reach if we worked hard, so that was my first meeting with him. Then, five years later, I was a team-mate of his.

“Billy was always a natural leader. He didn’t have to say anything, he just looked the part and he was very helpful to me when I came into the team and I’m sure he was the same to the others as well.

"He might have a quiet word sometimes during a game, maybe at a corner or a free-kick, but he was never a shouter, he never needed to roll up his sleeves.

“It was a natural thing he had, an aspect of his character where, if he said something on or off the park, you could accept it. And he had worked with Jock Stein before when Jock was there at Celtic in the earlier days with the reserves. So there was a rapport between those two that I think none of the rest of us had, which was a great help as well.

“He had a very good managerial career as well and was very successful in his two spells at the club, and again, that’s where the family came into play because they were always very supportive of him wherever he managed. They were all behind him and they’ve always been a tower of strength for him.”

And Jim and his wife, Elisabeth, also paid a special tribute to Billy’s family, in particular, his wife Liz.

Elisabeth Craig said: “Liz is an amazing lady, and she has just been a tower of strength. We went to Australia and Vegas with Billy and Liz, and Billy was good company, very caring and he always had time for people. He was always very affable, sociable and very kind.

“In recent years Billy came through a very difficult few years. It has been difficult for the family, particularly Liz, but they’ve all rallied round to cope with it.”

And Jim Craig added: “Sometimes teams split up after they’ve stopped playing, but we always got on very well as a group, without necessarily being in each other’s houses all the time. We were all very friendly and continued that right through our lives. He’ll be sadly missed by us all.”

 

RIP Mr Celtic, thank you for a lifetime of memories

 

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Really sad news to wake up to this morning. The tributes being paid from across the footballing world and beyond show how highly regarded he was held. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about him.

It was heartbreaking to see him in his last few years. Dementia is a horrible disease and robs the family of the man they've known all their life. I've been through this with elderly relatives and I'm sure this is an all too common experience amongst many of us.

RIP Billy.