Celtic sadly announced this afternoon that Hoops hero Charlie Gallagher has passed away at the age of 80.
A statement released by the club said;
“Everyone at Celtic Football Club is extremely sad to hear of the death of Charlie Gallagher, who has passed away at the age of 80, and the thoughts and prayers of the whole Celtic Family are with Charlie’s wife, Mary, his children and grandchildren, and all his family and friends.
“Charlie’s contribution to his beloved Celtic over 12 years was immense, and having joined the club in 1958; he would become an integral part of the squad, which achieved great things both in Scotland and in Europe under the stewardship of Jock Stein.”
Charlie spent many years at Celtic during the club’s glory days, between 1958 and 1970, winning trophy after trophy along the way.
He played 171 times in the Green and White Hoops and was part of the legendary squad that became the first British side to lift the European Cup, playing a key part along the way, but was unfortunate that he narrowly missed out on Jock Stein’s squad for the game against Inter Milan.
Tributes poured in this afternoon from Celtic fans far and wide, with some lucky enough to meet the man and not have a bad word to say about the Hoops legend.
Charlie an absolute legend and a lovely man .rest in peace sir https://t.co/d4FsP2tPuy
— Paul B Lyons. (@plyons45) July 11, 2021
Charlie Gallagher is in my dads stable of favourite ever Celtic players, along with John Hughes.
Been told a thousand stories about Charlie Gallagher, what a player he was ? https://t.co/s4OQElK13I
— Buddy Gall 社会主義者 (@TheGallatron) July 11, 2021
I was lucky enough to meet Charlie on a number of occasions. A very good footballer and a humble man whose love of our club, Donegal and Ireland was clear every time you spoke to him. May he rest in peace HH https://t.co/PQEjzIRtW6
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) July 11, 2021
From these tributes, you can see how loved a man Charlie Gallagher was, leaving his mark on all those who met him.
The current day Celtic players will pay tribute to a club great, wearing black armbands for Wednesday’s fixture against Bristol City.
Rest in peace, Charlie.
I lived in the same close as Charlie his Mum and sister in Salisbury St Gorbals, this was before he played for Celtic and he was a lovely person.
I watched him a lot when he Played for the Tic his corner kicks were fantastic
RIP