Celtic Banter Archive April 23 2019

23 Apr 2019 20:43:41
My first game was the SC semi final in 1969 but I was too wee. I was only 6 and I couldn't see the pitch and I spent the entire second half of the game picking the coconut off a macaroon bar. I don't like coconut. My dad took me to a couple more when I was a wee bit older but the pivotal moment for me was the 1972 SC Final. We went early and got to the front which was just as well because there were 106,000 at the game. Williams, Craig, Brogan, Murdoch, McNeill, Connolly, Johnstone, Deans, Macari, Dalglish and Callaghan. Bertie was playing with Hibs that day and Lennox was our substitute but I don't think he was brought on so there were 5 of the Lions on the pitch. Big Billy opened the scoring after 6 minutes and we went on to hammer a very, very good Hibs side 6-1. I can still picture the ball swinging over from the corner and Big Billy thumping it into the net for his third goal in a Scottish Cup final. Not bad for a centre half. RIP big man and thanks for the memories.

23 Apr 2019 20:05:47
Daft question lads is there a statue of the great Billy McNeil at parkhead last time a was there when ma wee lassie worked in shop for u lot would like to lay ma hearts scarf at it.

23 Apr 2019 20:18:54
There is Kenny, it’s in front of the main stand and you’re more than welcome to lay your tribute.

23 Apr 2019 19:24:54
r. i. p king billy, i can remember watching the champions league draw a few years back, most of you will remember, for me it was the first time i had noticed the big guy not being quite right and struggling to open the balls containing the teams, it must have been the first onset of the terrible condition that is dementia, i myself have lost a few relatives to this and a its so very cruel to see someone deteriorate in front of you like that, god bless you billy and all your family and friends, im a bit to young to remember you as a player but have seen the videos and was just about old enough to remember the centenary year🍀thanks for the memories, i hope you are up there with the rest of the lions and you are now at peace✌️🇮🇪.

23 Apr 2019 18:50:04
Ed what would you think of Michel Preud'homme as next manager?

{Ed007's Note - Is he not dead?}

23 Apr 2019 19:24:10
Naw he's managing Standard Liège.

{Ed007's Note - I can't believe he's only 60! Nah not for me, Kev.}

23 Apr 2019 19:45:18
If he is Ed we need an alternative.

{Ed007's Note - It would suit Pedro.}

23 Apr 2019 20:02:09
He's managing Standard Liege.

23 Apr 2019 20:18:00
Ffs Ed 😂.

{Ed007's Note - I know 😂 I thought Kev was at the wind up.}

23 Apr 2019 20:20:17
He has a decent record ed and is quite well thought of.

{Ed007's Note - Would he want to leave Belgium at his age, is it even safe to fly at that age? 😉

23 Apr 2019 21:40:25
That's why ed rarely ventures outside Lanarkshire, old age doesn't come alone eh ed?

{Ed007's Note - Oh I "come" alone - but the tears help as lube 😭

23 Apr 2019 22:09:33
🤢 yuk.

{Ed007's Note - Like you don't know................

23 Apr 2019 23:04:53
Hahaha.

23 Apr 2019 15:53:57
The King is dead. As a club we have had legion of players we have worshipped, adored and watched as they put teams to the sword. Further back, than i suspect any of us were born, Gallacher, Quinn Thomson. Evans and Tully the list goes on and on.

Billy McNeill was different though.

Never a silky ball playing centre back. Never the style of previous heroes. But, like the true Legends of our club, he knew what it meant to us to wear the Hoops. he knew the commitment, the blood sweat and tears required to wear the shirt. And we knew he knew, we saw it. Some of us were lucky enough to see it in the flesh, chest puffed out standing like the giant he was lifting trophy after trophy.

Like the rest of the Lions, he was humble to the point of you felt like giving him a shake to let him know how much we, as a support, revered this man and his team mates. Not the first Scottish, or even the first British winners of the big cup also the first Northern European club. he was the leader of a team who re shaped the game. They busted cattenacio, they said it couldn't be done. But they did it in style, and then some. You want iconic? Holding the cup aloft in Lisbon. Look at him, like a God.

I am sitting here with tears blinding me, i unashamedly admit it. This Man means so much to my generation of Celts, and that's even without the Centenary season. The only saving grace is our King is not suffering. He is at rest and truly in a better place.

Oh Captain my Captain.

23 Apr 2019 16:21:06
Quite possibly the best post I've ever read on this site.

23 Apr 2019 16:48:06
Brilliant post.

23 Apr 2019 20:06:14
Excellent Epitaph. RIP Cesar.

23 Apr 2019 20:20:15
You’ve brought a tear to my eye FGJ.

23 Apr 2019 21:43:14
It's a sad day for our club but even sadder for his family and friends. A born leader. R. I. P cesar hail hail🍀.

23 Apr 2019 23:49:44
First saw him in 1961 when we lost 2-3 to Third Lanark!
Loved your post and I read it with a lump in my throat as I went back to pee flooded terraces, wooden rattles, waving scarves, cold pies and lukewarm bovril. the Jungle chanting "There's only one King Billy that's McNeill.
The team doing everything but score then. This big man strolls up for a corner and, like a salmon leaping the falls, powers in a header and Big Jock, the Team, and the Fans all calm down.
He needed big pockets for the number of attackers who resided there during games.
One of a kind who was chosen by Destiny.

24 Apr 2019 17:13:47
Can I just the Billy Mc Neil that I first saw in 1965 was a brilliant player, rarely had a bad game . All the lions were that, we didn't fully appreciate what we had then . But as a leader of men there was no comparison . He was the number 1 . He was the first Northern European to lead his club to win the big one European Cup . Apart from that as Captain &! manager Billie led Celtic to 30 more triumphs, a total never matched by anyone else in the game . So Billie was my number 1 and the number 1 in World Football, God Bless Billie RIP Hail. Hail.

23 Apr 2019 14:48:17
I don't always agree with Charlie nick but that was a heartfelt interview with sly the man is broken by this sad news as we all are.

23 Apr 2019 13:38:53
We have been crippled with injuries nearly all season . Maybe due to the man who informed us of his greatness new training methods or maybe the impartial refereeing in Scotland .
Anyway as head into our final games our two most dangerous attackers or missing for rest of season . R C and K T . Tierney maybe nominally a left back but with his pace and bravery on the ball he is more often beyond the last man in the other team .
R C provides a vital link with C MacG to open up opponents and either have room himself or for others . We not going to have a pretty free scoring final games as we are missing our vital players . We will have to fight our way through.

23 Apr 2019 15:21:35
Thus is the worst season I can remember and I've seen a few, for injuries it's every other week to key players as well kt is a massive blow going into the business end of the seadon time to get this prob sorted once and for all.

23 Apr 2019 15:52:14
Thus is the worst season I can remember and I've seen a few, for injuries it's every other week to key players as well kt is a massive blow going into the business end of the seadon time to get this prob sorted once and for all.

23 Apr 2019 20:22:21
You can say that again.

23 Apr 2019 12:48:36
"And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the captain died"

What a sad day! In these days in which we celebrate Christ's victory over death, defeating death forever we learn that Cesar now has entered into death to rise again in Christ.

Billy represents everything that is good about Celtic as a fan, a player, a manager and an ambassador.

Here in Rome Mass will be offered forthe repose of his soul but also for his wife and kids etc at this sad time

R. I. P Billy Mc Neill true legend.

23 Apr 2019 13:40:12
Condolences to Billy McNeills family and friends. I had the privilege of speaking to him and John Grieg when they were on Scotland duty.
Both were standing at Tommy Hughes newspaper stall outside Queen Street station.
How lucky was l they both were happy to chat. Two legends at the same time.
You will be greatly missed Billy.

23 Apr 2019 11:53:56
RIP to an absolute legend of man. Everything you want and more as an ambassador for our great club. A great man in every sense. God bless big Billy 🍀.

23 Apr 2019 12:52:04
I can only echo the thoughts and sentiments of many on this sad day. The passing of a true Celtic legend and fantastic human being. God Bless, and Rest In Peace, Cesar.

23 Apr 2019 11:23:07
RIP Billy McNeil, condolences to all his family, God bless, a true legend🙏🏻.

23 Apr 2019 10:37:21
Rangers fan here, but I'd like to just pass on my condolences to the Celtic fans on the passing of Billy McNeil. He was Mr Celtic who always conducted himself with the utmost professionalism. Dementia is such a cruel disease.

23 Apr 2019 09:57:33
Everything i want a Celtic player to be Billy had and more. A great player and ambassador for our club and like Tommy Burns and incredible Human. Always enjoyed watching old VHS or Dvds showcasing your play, goals or even how you spoke about our club. A statue is not enough we need need your name above the North or South Stand. Rest In Peace Cesar. YNWA.

23 Apr 2019 16:19:20
We have a Lisbon Lions stand and from all the stories of how humble he was, I'm sure that meant more to him than any individual tribute would.

23 Apr 2019 16:58:29
A game between ourselves and Athletic Balbao who gave him their 'one club' award last week might be a good way to honour him. A friendly each season for the 'Cesar' Trophy.

{Ed007's Note - Athletic Bilbao were already trying to arrange home & away friendlies for this summer.}

23 Apr 2019 17:43:26
Thanks Ed wasn't aware of that.

{Ed007's Note - 👍

23 Apr 2019 09:56:05
Big Billy not just a great man but great manager and captain of The hoops. Yes there really was only one King Billy and that's McNeil. RIP big man.

23 Apr 2019 09:28:04
Sad news that Billy McNeill has passed away.
RIP Caesar
Hail Hail to our hero.

23 Apr 2019 09:19:51
ALL HAIL CESAR!

23 Apr 2019 09:18:44
Rest in peace Billy McNeil, a true Celtic Legend.

23 Apr 2019 09:03:40
RIP Billy McNeill Glasgow Celtics greatest ever captain and leader. God rest his soul 🍀.