Twitter yesterday threw up a reminder of the respect and esteem that one of the greatest Celts is held in.
A full 44 years after Billy McNeill’s final playing appearance, Athletic Bilbao honoured the former Celtic captain in a moving ceremony at the San Mames Stadium.
John Clark and Susan Chalmers, one of Billy’s daughters, were invited to a match as the stadium screens paid tribute to Big Billy while the fans raised their scarves to sing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
It speaks volumes for the achievements of Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions that they were remembered and honoured in such a way, and also says so much about Athletic Bilbao that they recognise greatness far from their base in the Basque country.
First time I’ve seen this, Athletic Bilbao paying respect to the Legendary Billy McNeill, 12th of May 2019. Brilliant to see ??? ? ? HH pic.twitter.com/NhS57c3YwE
— Wat_the_deuce ?????( NEW ACCOUNT ) (@wat_thee_deuce_) May 16, 2023
Before that recognition of McNeill there were no real bonds between the two clubs, a friendly was played in 2010 but down the years Celtic have played in many similar games. Since then the hoops have been invited over to Spain for matches against Elche and Villarreal.
Currently Athletic are sitting in eight place in La Liga, with four matches left to play they are one point behind Girona in the race for a place in the UEFA Conference.
Whether they are successful or not remains to be seen but clearly they are a club of substance who look at the bigger picture rather than whatever it takes to bag the next three points.
The 2010 friendly, without international players and the u-19 youth side involved in an SFA Youth Cup semi-final.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1)
Raul; Amorebieta (Balenziaga 45), Iturraspe, Gabilondo, Susaeta; Orbaiz (Koikili 66), Gurpegui (Guarrotxena 45); Aitorocio, Castillo (Cerrajeria 66), Diaz De Cerio; Ekiza
Subs not used: Iraizoz
CELTIC (4-4-2)
Zaluska (Cervi 85); Fraser (Jones 85), Loovens, Mulgrew, Chalmers; Cha, Herron (Watt 60), Conroy (Lowdon 73), Ljungberg; Stokes (Spence 88), Murphy
Remember it!
Absolutely BRILLIANT Joe, to see a club we’ve no particular affiliation to doing that in memory of The Big Mhan. How fitting is it that ‘Wee Luggy’, who was always by Big Billy’s side in defence went over to receive the Tribute and with Billy’s daughter too? Now THAT’s a club I’ll look out for, just for that. I started ‘welling up’ as I listened to their fans singing YNWA. Fantastic Joe and thanks for putting it up.
One negative though! Who TF decided we’d play in anything OTHER than The Hoops in the friendly in 2010? Unbelievable! Could that be yet another own goal from our ex-CEO and now Chairman, ‘UKNOWWHO?
Regardless of that it was a great watch and I’ll pass it on!
HH, YNWA.
The dirty bassa of balboa never forgot the way the destroyed Jinky with those high tackles studs shown constantly spitting in faces of the bhoy’s and completely anti football at Parkhead.
Over there jinky received death threats and did there dirty tricks over there the bassas that they are.
Jorge below, I think is pointing out your error. You’re on about Atletico Madrid not Bilbao but you’re right in that they (Atletico Madrid) were a shower of dirty “bassas”.
The club has always used the anglicised form of ‘Athletic’ in their name, unlike Atletico Madrid.
If only our centre-backs could head the ball like Big Billy could!