Dear Diary... Today We Won The European Cup

Jim Craig’s Lisbon journal tells the story of Celtic’s greatest-ever triumph on the 50th anniversary of the feat.

- Tony Connelly

LISBON Lion Jim Craig is giving Celtic fans a unique insight into his journey to European glory in a new book comprised of his diary extracts from the historic year that was 1967.

The legendary Hoops defender kept a diary during his time at Celtic and has decided to compile his first-hand account of the remarkable journey into a new book titled ‘Right Back to 67: The Lisbon Lion Diary’ which is out now.

As the club celebrates the 50th anniversary of winning the European Cup, Jim Craig is contributing his own perspective on that year as he recalls in detail the day-to-day goings on within the team which would go on to cement its place in the history books.

Much has been written about the Lisbon Lions but Craig’s telling of the story offers Celtic fans a behind-the-scenes look at road to Lisbon.

“I started keeping a diary from the time I joined Celtic in 1965,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “I thought it could come in useful one day, so I kept it up during my time at Celtic.

“I had actually forgotten all about the things until I came across them while clearing the attic one day. When I started reading them it all percolated from there and I thought I could use them to tell a slightly different story about that time.

“The book starts from the beginning of the 1966/67 season. I go right through every game and give a wee bit of background to what happened before then. I have a remarkable memory when it comes to certain things, such as games I played in.