Celtic Legend Jim Craig Confirms Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Celtic great and Lisbon Lion Jim Craig has confirmed he has been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2022.

Craig is one of three living icons from the Lisbon Lions side, crowned champions of Europe in 1967, alongside Bobby Lennox and Willie Wallace.

Craig, 83, and his wife Elisabeth have spoken publicly, believing now is the time to speak about the illness that affects so many (TCW):

“I had noticed that, when we were out in the car, Jim was losing his way.

“He would say, ‘It is this way or that way?’ when we were going to familiar places. I would say, ‘Turn left here,’ and he would indicate to go right because he couldn’t remember which was which.

“I got in touch with my GP and when we were out in New Zealand where our son Mark used to live, he said, ‘Mum, he can’t hear.’ Loss of hearing is one of the signs too, so when we came back Jim was fitted with hearing aids.

“The doctor then put him through the process of assessment, psychiatrists and so on but because of the effects of Covid it was all held up. The final diagnosis was May 9 2022. But I suspect that Jim had it two-to-three years before that.

“For someone who was diagnosed four years ago I think he is doing pretty well. The doctors tell him that socialising is very important so I do have to push him a bit to get out and about.”

Craig, who practised dentistry after his footballing career and is a current Ambassador for Celtic, said:

“I was pleased that they diagnosed something wrong, because I thought I was just ageing. But I was a bit surprised to hear what it was and I find it very frustrating.”

There has been a campaign launched to build a statue of the Celtic legend in Govan, with a sculptor having already been brought on board for the project. You can find out more information here. 

It would be a fitting commemoration of a man who cemented his place in Hoops history 59 years ago.

Craig’s Lisbon Lion teammate, Tommy Gemmell, had a statue erected in his honour in Craigneuk. Gemmell passed away in 2017, but his memory lives on. 

Alzheimer’s disease affects roughly 982,000 people in the UK. Lisbon Lions captain Billy McNeill and Stevie Chalmers both died of dementia, which Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of.

Craig won seven Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups, four League Cups and was capped once for Scotland.