Celtic are in Lisbon as preparations continue for the new season.
It’s fitting that the Celtic stars are in a place that produced the club’s greatest ever moment and achievement in its rich, trophy-laden history.
In 1967, Celtic won the European Cup by beating Inter, and they have since been the only side in Scotland to lift Europe’s greatest ever prize.
The man who helped the Hoops lift that historic trophy is Billy McNeill, and he was lauded when being compared to a Rangers legend.
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Steve Nicol picks Celtic hero Billy McNeill ahead of Rangers’ John Greig
Steve Nicol was one of the greatest defenders of his time, as he represented the great Liverpool side of the 80s, including winning numerous titles and European Cups.
The former Scotland international didn’t represent either of the Glasgow clubs; however, he stated on ESPN that ‘I am a Rangers man’.
However, when he was asked to ‘start, bench or drop’, between three former players in Scotland – Celtic’s McNeill, Rangers’ Greig and Alex McLeish of Aberdeen, he didn’t hesitate to pick the man who wrote his name into the legendary books, and beyond, at Parkhead.
Kay Murray asks: “Start, drop or bench these three Scottish defenders. John Greig, Billy McNeill and Alex McLeish.”
Nicol responded: “Listen, I am a Rangers man. But I am going to have to go with Billy McNeill to start. Big Cesar. Cesar was his nickname.
“Captained Celtic to the old European Cup, now the Champions League. How many times did they win the league? Nine. Ridiculous. Billy McNeill would start.
“I would have John Greig on the bench. Again. An absolute legend at Rangers. Lifted the old Cup Winners Cup in Europe for Rangers. Again. Won plenty of titles.
“He was the manager at Rangers, as was Billy McNeill was manager at Celtic. As good as big Eck was, unfortunately, Billy and John just outdo him. He would agree with that.”
McNeill’s record at Celtic
There aren’t many players or figures who have represented Celtic and had the impact of McNeill, whether that’s on the pitch or from the dugout.
He is rightfully regarded as one of Celtic’s greatest ever, and the man who wore the armband in 67 for the club’s greatest ever season, and that fabled Quadruple.
- McNeill’s games at Celtic: 790
- Goals: 34
- Trophies: 23
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