Jim Craig: I Will Miss Spending Time With My Friend

LISBON Lion Jim Craig has paid tribute to Billy McNeill, his friend of over 50 years. The two men, along with their Hoops team-mates, achieved extraordinary success in their playing careers with Celtic, but their friendship extended way beyond that time.

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Speaking on Tuesday, Jim Craig said: “It is very sad news. Billy was such a nice guy, easy to get on with and that’s all you can ask from someone. He never made any demands on you, he was just happy in your company and that’s what I’ll miss the most.

“I first met him in unusual circumstances. I was the captain of the Scottish schoolboys team in 1961 for a game against England, which was the only international match we played at that time at Under-18 level. The match was held at Celtic Park, and before the game Billy, who had played in the same fixture just three years earlier, was brought into the dressing-room.