Rangers legend John Greig has spoken at length about his relationship with Celtic icon Billy McNeill.
Celtic’s greatest ever captain passed away yesterday morning. The news has devastated Scottish football, and has put everything on hold. Mass tributes to McNeill have been flooding in from all around the world.
All of Celtic’s rival clubs have been paying their respects on social media. But perhaps none will have had the same relationship with Cesar as Greig personally did. The pair were famously good pals, coming from an era when the Glasgow giants had a strong element of respect for each other.
And Greig has opened up on his relationship with the Celtic icon today. Speaking in the Evening Times, Greig spoke about McNeill at length.
“He was obviously a very important player in a very good Celtic team. He was a centre half and most clubs build their team around their centre half. He was a leader.
“In those days, the Scotland team would probably comprise of 50 per cent Celtic and Rangers players. A lot of people didn’t understand how we could get on with each other. But we played for the national team together.
“Billy and I became good friends away from the football. He was a gentleman. Billy was respected because he was a really decent guy. He conducted himself in a great way. He was always a great advert for Celtic Football Club. He will not be forgotten by a lot of people, especially the Celtic supporters.
“My wife and I got to know his wife Liz as well over the years and it is Liz and the family who I obviously feel sorry for today. They have known Billy has been unwell for a while, but it is sad when it happens.”
A relationship full of admiration and respect
As said previously, this came during an era when there was a respect between the two Glasgow sides. Regardless of how ferocious things may have gotten on the park, there were friendships off of it.
It’s not something that you often see happen in today’s game. And if it does, it fair gets kept quiet. Both sides have lost plenty of respect for each other over the years. That’s evident when they both meet, combined with their decisions at boardroom level.
The relationship between Greig and McNeill was always a connection that overpowered the rivalry of football. The kind of which we won’t likely see again.
Greg is Rangers’ greatest ever player. But yesterday, he was in mourning with every other Celtic supporter. A man he admired and respected and cherished as a friend had passed. Rivalry meant nothing and always has done when it comes to this pair’s friendship.
Greig goes into much more detail regarding McNeill too. You can read his full comments here.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
