Hail To The Leader Of The Lions

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BILLY McNEILL: In Praise of Caesar is the tribute book dedicated to the Celtic legend by writer Alex Gordon who interviewed over 40 personalities he believes have played a significant role, on or off the park, in the spectacular career of the former Hoops manager and captain.

In the book, Alex speaks to Billy’s fellow Lisbon Lions, Jim Craig, John Clark, Bobby Lennox, Willie Wallace and Bertie Auld while, added to that, we also hear from Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers.

Plus, former Celts such as Paddy Crerand, Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain, Roy Aitken, Paul McStay, Davie Hay, Pat Bonner among many others are featured, and the foreword for the book is by Peter Lawwell.

The book was launched at Celtic Park this week and the Celtic View has plucked some words from the inimitable Bertie Auld as he waxes lyrical about his team-mate.

“BILLY McNeill began his Celtic career alongside me in a game against Clyde at Celtic Park on August 23, 1958. I ended my Celtic career against the same opponents at the same venue on May 1, 1971. He came in as a winner. I went out as a winner. I think you can take it as read we shared a few memories in the 13 years in between.

I’m exactly two years and 21 days older than my chum and I signed the first time around from Maryhill Juniors in April 1955 while Billy arrived from Blantyre Vics in August 1957. So, I had a two-year head start on him and that gave me the opportunity to welcome our new centre-half into the first team.

I had made my debut the previous year, but I couldn’t call myself a regular in the top side. I played in six successive League Cup ties up to the final against Rangers on October 19, 1957 – and was left out of the line-up for Hampden.