Athletic Club Honoured Billy For His Devotion To Celtic

A SPECIAL presentation took place at Celtic Park last week, as a delegation from Athletic Club de Bilbao honoured Celtic’s greatest ever captain, Billy McNeill.

It was another sign of the esteem in which the football world held the legendary Celt and, poignantly, it took place just a few days before his sad passing.

Jose Angel Iribar, Athletic’s legendary goalkeeper, who is their record appearance holder, and board member, Aitor Bernardo, presented the prestigious One Club Man Award in honour of Billy’s faithful service to Celtic throughout his career.

And receiving the Award on behalf of Billy were Celtic chairman, Ian Bankier, and Lisbon Lions, Jim Craig, John Clark and Bertie Auld.

Athletic Club’s One Club Man Award was set up four years ago with the aim of honouring players whose career with one team represents the values of commitment, loyalty, responsibility, sportsmanship and respect, which embody their identity as a club.

In choosing to honour Billy McNeill, the Basque club recognise the enormous contribution the man known as Cesar has made to Celtic Football Club.

Athletic Club board member, Aitor Bernardo explained: “Billy really represents the values of the Athletic Club. We share a lot of things together regarding people who have played for the same club for their full career.