They Played At Paradise

IN this series we take a look at many of the great players from around the world down through the decades who have played on the hallowed turf of Celtic Park.

This week, we focus on a player who was quite simply one of the best to ever emerge from the tunnel at Paradise – George Best

- Joe Sullivan

THE EARLY YEARS George Best was simply one of the greatest icons of the 1960s, on or off the pitch, in a decade that wasn’t short of idols as teenage culture ripped up the rule book and ran away with the shreds. In an age when The Beatles ruled the roost and Carnaby Street was the height of sartorial elegance, Best was the first ‘pop star’ footballer, carving a niche with long flowing locks in a sport in which Brylcreem as much as Ralgex was the fragrance of the dressing room. He was even nicknamed ‘El Beatle’ in the Portuguese press, but even his boy about-town image paled in comparison to his skills with a ball at his feet. Even with an army crewcut and hand-me-down rags, Best would still have been among the biggest stars of his or any other generation – Best by name and best by nature in many aspects of his abilities.

WHEN DID HE PLAY AT PARADISE?