From first light this morning they started to appear.
Firstly across Glasgow then quickly it spread elsewhere.
All of a sudden the internet bampots had got hold of the idea and images of Billy McNeill holding up the European Cup were appearing across the globe.
Despite the increased security Downing Street paused to pay tribute to the greatest moment in Scottish football history.
A man from Bellshill led a group assembled from such exotic outposts as Maryhill, Govan, Kirkintilloch and Viewpark to the pinnacle of footballing excellence.
Seven years earlier 130,000 had marvelled as Real Madrid put on a show at Hampden to beat Eintract Frankfurt 7-3 and win the European Cup.
Celtic were two years into a long barren run at that point but well within a decade Jock Stein had taken Real’s crown.
Glasgow hosted the best team in Europe, to emphasise the point Celtic popped over to Madrid and beat Real 1-0 in a testimonial for Alfredo di Stefano.
That player had been a hero to many of the Lisbon Lions, in front of his own audience a toe-rag from Viewpark played in a whippet from Saltcoats to score the only goal of the game.
Fifty years after Lisbon no one will forget the Lions with the image of Big Billy and the Big Cup going viral.
Downing Street CSC
Big Billy is popping up everywhere…#Lisboa50 pic.twitter.com/d0CCTKxM1s
— Johnny_Scotland © (@Johnny_Scotland) May 25, 2017
Celebrating the Lions in the heart of government.
Paradise
Huge Billy McNeill Prints Appear Around Glasgow Ahead of Lisbon Lions 50th Anniversary https://t.co/X5dD1H4MVp pic.twitter.com/FzwCewhKzk
— We Are @Celtic (@celtic) May 25, 2017
The heart of the club
From every street in Scotland
Celebrating the famous Glasgow Celtic becoming the first British team to win the European Cup. Hail Cesar #Cesar67 Hail Hail pic.twitter.com/L7m6P9P5XX
— CELTIC CANVAS ART (@Judebox09) May 24, 2017
Across Glasgow
The hills of Belfast
Black mountain west belfast..what a sight @celticfc #hailhail #Lisboa50 #LisbonLions pic.twitter.com/StWooqhohU
— James (@jamesyboy1967) May 25, 2017
The setting off point for many journeys to Celtic Park.
Behind enemy lines
Would love it if this was genuine ???????????????????????????????? daft Huns raging ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/CzKTD11FTO
— 10 in a row (@celtichoff) May 25, 2017
The last pub in the world to find a pint of Guinness despite being in the shadow of Celtic Park.
Local bhoys
25/05/1967 1st British , 1st Scottish and 1st non latin team to win the @ChampionsLeague and only entirely home grown team before or since pic.twitter.com/haBAt1Dec4
— Hugh O’Donnell (@BigWindies) May 25, 2017
The scouting network never clocked up much mileage to put this team together.
No stone left unturned
Celebrating the famous Glasgow Celtic becoming the first British team to win the European Cup. Hail Cesar #Cesar67 Hail Hail pic.twitter.com/RMQwF1HbXm
— CELTIC CANVAS ART (@Judebox09) May 24, 2017
Even in the corner of industrial estates there is no getting away from the image of the day.
All hail
Look out for these in the next 24 hours in and around Glasgow.
If you see one, take a photo and tweet it far and wide.#cesar67 pic.twitter.com/5rx7febrja— CelticResearch (@CelticResearch) May 24, 2017
There’s no escaping from that iconic moment.
Park life
Celebrating the famous Glasgow Celtic becoming the first British team to win the European Cup. Hail Cesar #Cesar67 Hail Hail pic.twitter.com/xzEzRDdvqy
— CELTIC CANVAS ART (@Judebox09) May 24, 2017
Celebrating a stroll in a Lisbon park
Heart beat of the city
Celebrating the famous Glasgow Celtic becoming the first British team to win the European Cup. Hail Cesar #Cesar67 Hail Hail pic.twitter.com/s0oWk3ti5G
— CELTIC CANVAS ART (@Judebox09) May 24, 2017
Underneath the Kingston Bridge as the early commuters search for a parking place.