Celtic supporters pay tribute as iconic legend Bertie Auld passes away

By John McGinley

November 14, 2021

Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld has sadly passed away at the age of 83.

One of the greatest midfielders Scotland ever produced, Auld had a stunning career, but he represented more than that. His legacy endured through the decades, with his off the pitch personality always engaging and delighting fans.

Like many of you, I personally adored Bertie and was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions.

Auld wasn’t just an iconic playing legend – he was a glorious, heart-thumping link through history to the club’s golden period for generations of supporters, like myself, who weren’t lucky enough to witness the Lisbon Lions. He made it all real. He was an institution in his own right.

The club officially announced the news this evening, summing up his brilliant achievements.

In a statement, Celtic said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is devastated to hear of the passing of Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld, who has died at the age of 83, and the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Bertie’s family at this extremely sad time.

“Bertie was a legend of the club for his many achievements in the green and white Hoops throughout his playing career, and he was adored by the entire Celtic Family for the passion and love that he always showed for Celtic.

“In two spells with the club – 1955-61 and then 1965-71 – he made 283 appearances, scoring 85 goals. He won five league titles, four League Cups, three Scottish Cups and, of course, the European Cup in 1967 when he was part of the legendary Celtic side that beat Inter Milan 2-1 on May 25, 1967 in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional to lift the trophy.

“As well as playing his part in that historic day, Bertie also became famous for having led his team-mates in singing ‘The Celtic Song’ in the tunnel that day as they lined up alongside the Inter Milan team.”

If you’re in the mood to reminisce and celebrate Bertie’s life, you could do worse than checking out the list of quotes on his Celtic Wiki page.

From quips to referees and rival players, legendary comments about the Hoops supporters and wise knowledge of Celtic in general – he wasn’t just one of the club’s greatest ever players, but greatest ever fans and personalities.

This is a desperately sad day, but I have no doubt that Auld’s life will be celebrated greatly in the days to come. He’d want us to all be smiling, after all.

Thousands of supporters are taking to social media tonight to pay their own tributes to the great man…

In other news, Celtic defender Josip Juranovic an absolute stand out as Croatia stun Russia to qualify for World Cup.