“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:
9. Skipper Roy Aitken is congratulated by manager Billy McNeill after Celtic won the league Championship Trophy at home to Dunfermline on May 7th, 1988.
He went on to win the Scottish Cup the following season and then back-to-back titles in ‘81 and ‘82. After a mixed spell in England, during which he won promotion with Manchester City to the First Division, McNeill returned to Parkhead in 1987 when the club desperately needed a change in fortunes. A league and cup double would follow. | Hulton Archive
10. McNeill and assistant Tommy Craig (r) celebrate after the 1988 Scottish Cup Final victory at Hampden Park.
As a player and manager, he won 31 combined major trophies with Celtic. He always wanted his team to play football ‘the Celtic Way’, by playing with a huge sense of pride and showing a desire to win and never give up. The season after the Centenary Double, the Hoops retained the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 win over Rangers. | Getty Images
11. John Greig, former Rangers captain and Billy McNeill, former Celtic captain hold a wreath prior to the Premier League match on January 2, 2011. Fans observed a minute’s silence to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster.
McNeill took up a club ambassador role in 2009 and filled that position right up until he passed away. A near ever-present on matchdays, Cesar is idolised by supporters as one of their own. A humble man who once said: “I enjoyed every experience I had at Celtic Park, I enjoyed everything.” | Getty Images
12. Supporters pay tribute to Billy McNeill at his statue outside Celtic Park on April 23, 2019 following his death, aged 79 after battling dementia.
In 2019, he was recognised with the “One Club Award” by Spanish club Athletic Bilbao for his achievements and loyalty to Celtic. A bronze sculpture of McNeill was unveiled at the pedestrian area of Bellshill Cross in November 2022. | Getty Images