“He played for the jersey. That was his utmost ambition, to make the jersey successful and he did just that.”
Archie Macpherson - the ‘voice of Scottish football’ - was spot on. The phrase ‘legend’ is used often when it comes to best describing a footballer who truly earned the status and in Billy McNeill’s case, it was truly fitting.
Celtic’s greatest ever captain was frequently recognised by his peers, bot during and after his lenghty career as player and manager of the club. Skipper of the ‘Lisbon Lions’ 1967 European Cup-winning side under Jock Stein, McNeill gave Scottish football what remains its biggest achievement.
He served as an inspiration for those around him and his importance to the green and white hoops will always be remembered by those who had the privilege of watching him or playing alongside ‘Cesar’.
It’s 65 years to the day since the Bellshill native made his first-team debut during a League Cup clash against Clyde back in 1958. GlasgowWorld looks back on McNeill’s greatest career achievements:
5. McNeill poses for a portrait in his Scotland jersey in February 1968 at Hampden Park.
McNeill earned 29 international caps for Scotland, scoring three goals in total against Poland during a 1966 World Cup qualifier, Wales during the 1968/69 British Home Championships and Cyprus during a 1970 World Cup qualifier. He unfortunately never played at a major international tournament. | Getty Images
6. Sir Alex Ferguson of Rangers and Billy McNeill of Celtic vie for the ball during the 1969 Scottish Cup Final.
As captain of the club, he won 9 Scottish League Championships, 7 Scottish Cups, and 6 Scottish League Cups, as well as the European Cup final. His final appearance came during a 3-1 Scottish Cup Final win over Airdrie, hanging up his boots with another winners’ medal. In total he netted 34 times, including some vital goals such as the match-winner against Vojvodina in 1967 that helped Celtic reach the European Cup semi-finals. | imago sportfotodienst
7. The Celtic boss celebrates his side’s 1988 Scottish Cup Final victory over Dundee United with player Chris Morris.
McNeill managed Celtic for nine seasons across two spells, from 1978 to 1983 and 1987 to 1991, winning four Scottish league championships. This included a league and cup double in 87/88, the club’s centenary season. He also took the reigns at Clyde, Aberdeen, Manchester City and Aston Villa. | Getty Images
8. McNeill pictured coaching in 1989. He was joined in the dugout by fellow Lisbon Lion and close friend, John Clark.
In his first season, McNeill led Celtic to one of the most memorable league championship wins in the club’s history, in what will be forever known as ‘10 men won the league’ on a Monday night, courtesy of a 4-2 win over Rangers to secure the title. At one stage Celtic were miles adrift of their Glasgow rivals. | Getty Images