New statue for one of Celtic’s greatest managers

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Celtic have had many outstanding managers in our history.

In this century alone, you could argue that the best manager, so far, has been Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill took over the club at a time when we were still lagging behind Rangers and in his first season, the enigmatic Irishman not only won the title, but he took us to our first treble since 1969.

In season 2001/02, O’Neill led us into the Champions League groups stages for the first time in our history and in 2003 he took us to our first European final since 1970. His legacy is the reason why the club is so successful to this day.

Prior to the turn of the century, Jock Stein turned us into European Champions. It is a feat that will forever be etched in Celtic folklore and it was one of the accomplishments that led him to be named as Celtic’s greatest-ever manager. [Celtic FC]

However, Big Jock wasn’t Celtic’s most successful manager in terms amount of trophies won. That honour, of course, goes to Willie Maley.

Celtic’s first-ever manager, Maley led the club for an incredible 43 years and in that time he won 30 trophies. His 16 titles and 14 Scottish Cups is a record that is unlikely to ever be beaten.

And to honour the great man, Jackie McNamara, Joe Miller and Tommy Johnson are set to unveil a statue of the legendary gaffer in his home town of Newry in County Down. [Belfast Telegraph]

The ceremony is the result of a three-year fundraising campaign by local Celtic fans in which they raised a staggering £80,000 to have the statue raised in Newry.

The statue will be unveiled by Pat McLaughlin, the chairman of the Willie Malley Memorial Group in what will be a fitting tribute to the legendary manager.