Celtic announce another fitting tribute to Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld

By Euan Davidson

November 17, 2021

Celtic will honour club icon and Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld against St Johnstone on Saturday night.

In the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final at Hampden, the Bhoys will each wear the number 10, in tribute to Auld, who passed away at age 83.

Bertie Auld, a hugely popular figure amongst the Celtic support across generations, was celebrated at Paradise last night. A display above the main entrance to Celtic Park was erected in the Lisbon Lion’s honour, reading “Bertie YNWA”.

With Celtic’s next home fixture not until the 28th, there was anticipation to see how the club would mark Auld’s passing at Hampden. Again, Celtic have acted quickly and with class, repeating a gesture that was used in the week of Billy McNeill’s tragic passing.

On that occasion, Celtic beat Kilmarnock, with number 5 Jozo Simunovic scoring on the 67th minute [BBC].

In their announcement of the Celtic players wearing Auld’s number, the club alluded to an interesting coincidence [Celtic FC]:

“Celtic and St Johnstone have actually met once in a League Cup final. That came back in October 1969, and Jock Stein’s side won the game and lifted the trophy thanks to Bertie Auld scoring the only goal of the game after just two minutes.”

Celtic fans react to brilliant Bertie Auld tribute

Here’s hoping Bertie Auld would’ve loved this. He’d certainly have a joke or two about it.

If we had 11 Bertie Aulds on the pitch, Celtic could easily have won even more silverware, that’s for sure.

Naturally, Celtic supporters have reacted well to the news of players wearing Auld’s number on Saturday night. Across social media, the responses were rapid, but hugely respectful.

Here are some of our favourites:

Read more: If Ian Bankier wants to show the Celtic supporters respect then he should start by resigning