Jim Craig says it’s up to his sculptor to ensure that people can recognise his statue as the Celtic great is immortalised in Govan.
The Jim Craig Govan Foundation unveiled the plans for the statue on Wednesday, planning to erect the statue on Govan Road, directly across from his former primary school, St. Anthony’s.
The Lisbon Lion made over 200 appearances for Celtic between 1965 and 1972, winning 16 major trophies.
Craig started right-back on the day and was judged to have fouled an Inter Milan player for their opening penalty. Nobody was more relieved than him that Jock Stein’s men turned it around.
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Celtic icon Jim Craig to be honoured with statue in Govan
Speaking about the plans with STV News, Craig said: “I never thought I would be immortalised in picture, nevermind in stone.
“I’ve been fortunate to go through my life as a Lisbon Lion where I get treated very well wherever I go – apart from Ibrox I suppose!
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“But no, I get treated in every Celtic household very very well indeed. It’s been a privilege to be feted like that.
“So to hear there was a statue being done, it was just the icing on the cake, you could say, and I’m very delighted about it.
“I would hope that somebody will recognise me as the full-back in the Lisbon Lions team, so it’s up to the guy, the sculptor, to do a good job so they recognise me, you know!
“But no, it’s a great honour and a great privilege to get it done. We were lucky at the time, because eleven guys came from within a radius of 50 miles of Celtic Park. Quite remarkable.
“Everyone played their part in the iconic team. I feel so lucky to have played with them.”
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Craig lived in Craigton growing up (sadly not named after him).
He had been studying Dental Studies at Glasgow University until switching fully to a professional contract at Celtic Park in 1965.
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