Neil Lennon & Scott Brown Pay Tribute to Billy McNeill

The Celtic family are devastated this morning with the news Billy McNeill has passed away at the age of 79.

The legendary Celtic captain played his whole career with the club, winning countless trophies and racking up 790 appearances for the bhoys. His most famous hour coming in Lisbon where Billy still remains to this day the only Celtic captain to ever lift the European Cup.

The news has hit many people hard this morning as they try to come to terms with the loss of a genuine legend. This was a man who gave this club everything and demanded the very best standards at all times. From his playing days to Billy’s two stints as manager, he embodied everything which was great about Celtic.

In his death we mourn the former Celtic captain but we must also celebrate his life and what he accomplished.

Neil Lennon and Scott Brown have used the club website to send their condolences but also to celebrate Billy’s achievements.

“This is such sad news and I want to send thoughts and prayers to Liz and all the family from myself and all the backroom staff here at the club.” Neil Lennon told the Celtic Website.

“When you think of Celtic and our incredible history, Billy McNeill is always one of the first names that comes to mind. He was our greatest ever captain and one of our greatest ever players, and along with his team-mates, achieved historic things for Celtic in the 1960s and ’70s.”

Scott Brown reflected on Billy’s time at the club and spoke for the whole dressing room this morning.

“All of the players at the club are deeply saddened to hear of Billy’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.” Said Brown.

“Billy set the benchmark as a Celtic player and captain, and that’s something everyone who pulls on the jersey has to aspire to. He won every honour in the game with Celtic including, of course, the European Cup, and I can only imagine how he must have felt when he lifted that trophy in Lisbon back in 1967.”