Bertie Auld passed away today at the age of 83, the latest footballer to die of dementia.
From the shadow of Partick Thistle he joined Celtic as a teenager where he had an enduring love affair through two stints as a player and as a fan until his final moments.
Auld just missed out on being involved in the 7-1 team in 1957 but after a spell at Birmingham City he returned to Celtic where he was pivotal to a success a decade later.
From 1965 to 1971 he played alongside Bobby Murdoch as Celtic enjoyed success that no-one could dared to dream of during the first half of the sixties.
Bertie singing our song, his song. pic.twitter.com/eaRWKcz9dZ
— Tam sellic son (@TamsellicsonIII) November 14, 2021
Auld went on to manage Partick Thistle, Hibs and Hamilton Accies, at Celtic Park he was always welcome with a mutual appreciation society with the fans that revered the Lisbon Lions.
Before a Europa League tie against Inter Milan in 2015 Auld led the pre-match sing song just as he had in Lisbon when Celtic made their mark on the global stage.
Throughout the Quadruple Treble days he was there cheering on his successors, lapping up every success as much as he had when he was out on the park making Celtic a force across the continent.
Over the coming days many stories and videos will be shared about Auld, his time off the pitch will be celebrated just as much as on it which is how he’d like to be remembered.
In 1969 Auld scored the only goal of the League Cup Final against St Johnstone, on Saturday the two clubs meet again at Hampden in the final of this season’s competition.
3 caps says way more about the @ScottishFA than it does about Bertie's abilities https://t.co/s6pINMNW0f
— RhebelRhebel (@RhebelRhebel) November 14, 2021
They meet in the semi final this weekend not the final
R.I.P BERTIE X
Sad to hear bertie has died god bless him and his family loved watching him play and a true celt not like some of ex celts we have today
god bless the two therty,
How blessed we were to have him, not only as a player, but as an Ambassador for the club and support.
I remember a long time ago seeing an interview with him and after he signed he was asked what he wanted to do and he replied “Take me out and show me the jungle.” and then he added “They took me out on to the hallowed turf , because it is hallowed turf, and let me see the jungle”.
He embodied everything that it is to play for and support our club.
Thank you Sir.
RIP Bertie ,true celt true great ,RIP my friend you will be sorely missed by all your true Celtic fans ,I met Bertie once at a petrol station filling up ,shouted hello Bertie and he come right across the petrol fore court to shake my hand and give a hug , fantastic person and gentleman sorely missed.