Sixty years after his playing debut the shadow of Billy McNeill is still cast boldly over Celtic.
The most decorated person in the club’s history was commemorated by a statue in 2015, recognising the contribution made to the club as a player and manager.
Fittingly the statue captures the greatest moment in Celtic’s 130 year history- when McNeill lifted the European Cup in Lisbon.
Sunset at Paradise… pic.twitter.com/sPWBAVBGKG
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog09) August 23, 2018
The bhoy from Bellshill captained a team of local lads to the pinnacle of European football, setting a benchmark that every club has aspired to emulate.
McNeill was from Lithuanian stock with the hoops in European action tonight against Suduva looking to book a place in this season’s Europa League group stage.
The landscape of European football has changed entirely since that afternoon in Lisbon but the heights scaled by McNeill and his team-mates will never be diminished.