Bertie Auld: Billy Was Destined To Be A Celtic Great

BACK in 1957, as he finished his first-team training, Bertie Auld noticed a big lanky teenager standing at the mouth of the Celtic tunnel.

That youngster was Billy McNeill and even though he stood out enough for Bertie to notice he was different, the Hoops midfielder could never have imagined that their careers and lives would intertwine for the next 60 years.

Bertie said on the passing of his great friend: “It’s sad day for the club, but Billy is getting a bit of relief now, and to me that is so important.

“I saw him when he was 17-years-old, just signed with Celtic down at the tunnel and such like, and he went from strength to strength. He was a magnificent asset to Celtic Football Club.

“Big Jock signed him as a reserve player as he had recommended him to the club. Billy was big tall youngster standing at the bottom of the tunnel while I was training full-time with the first team and I remember shaking hands with him and saying ‘All the best, son.’