Celtic fans rushed onto social media to support Billy McNeill and his family following the overnight confirmation that the club legend is suffering from dementia.
Big Billy has been in poor health in recent times with Bertie Auld taking over the mantle of Lisbon Lions spokesman at various club related events.
The McNeill story is the story of the modern Celtic, of the 100 major trophies won by the club he has been involved in 31 including, of course, the one trophy that stands above all others.
Billy McNeill talks about lifting the trophy on the day of Celtic’s greatest achievement.
To every generation: Legend. Giant. Icon. Cesar. pic.twitter.com/sSNEeS1qEf
— A Grand Auld Team (@FritzAGrandAuld) February 25, 2017
His playing career was split into two parts, pre 1965 was a time of frustration but after heading the winning goal in the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline a glorious decade of trophy collecting started.
In 1978 he returned to Celtic as manager and was just three points short of winning five successive titles despite the arrival of Aberdeen and Dundee United on the scene, domestically and in Europe.
His first season in charge ended with the 4-2 win over Rangers (IL) a match that many fans compared to the Lisbon triumph.
In the summer of 1987 he returned as manager to find a club on it’s uppers but quickly put together an almost new side that won the double in the Centenary season, there was no one more appropriate to lead the club to that triumph.
The title of ambassador and the statue at the bottom of The Celtic Way are tokens of the esteem that big Billy is held in, the true measure of the man is in the memories held by Celtic fans scattered across the world who remember the man who took Jock Stein’s instructions onto the pitch to build the modern legend that is on it’s way to a sixth successive title.
Celtic have won 100 major honours as a club since 1888.
31 of them were won with Billy McNeill as captain or manager.
He is Celtic.
— A Grand Auld Team (@FritzAGrandAuld) February 25, 2017
Hail Cesar!
‘If ever a man was made for a specific club, it was Billy McNeill and Glasgow Celtic….” pic.twitter.com/A1CSNKD7eM
— Celtic Wiki (@TheCelticWiki) February 25, 2017
“We are an extraordinary club and we demand extraordinary standards.”
Billy McNeill pic.twitter.com/CZQ4K7s90A— CelticQuote (@CelticQuote) February 26, 2017
There’s only one Billy McNeill. pic.twitter.com/OL8suOkCWf
— Thai Tims (@thaitims) February 26, 2017
Please God give Billy McNeill the strength to enjoy the Lisbon anniversary this May as best he can. #Caesar pic.twitter.com/jcnX5zcpey
— St.Anthony (@Stephen4_2) February 26, 2017
You’ll never walk alone, Billy McNeill! ?????????? pic.twitter.com/R97BOYV1J2
— Celtic Family (@CelticFamily) February 26, 2017
Dismal news on Billy McNeill’s deteriorating condition tonight. His year at Aberdeen a footnote in his story & ours, but made key signings. pic.twitter.com/WtjqB7p7Sq
— ByTheMinute Aberdeen (@ByTheMinAFC) February 26, 2017