Skacelsid Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Indeed a legend, to captain a Scottish team to win Europe's top prize. Good to see such deserved respect on JKB. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckydug Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 A true Scottish legend and working class hero. Hail Cesar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japanjambo Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun.lawson Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) Dave Mackay was Mr Hearts. Billy McNeill was Mr Celtic. Both extraordinary footballers - but equally fantastic men, from an era which seems almost unrecognisable now. What must it have felt like not only to play for, but captain such a legendary team, entirely made up of local heroes, which achieved the seemingly impossible while playing such magnificent football? And then go to manage them and enjoy success doing that too? I've no idea how he won so few Scotland caps; I've no idea how the Scotland side of that golden era didn't achieve far, far more. Billy McNeill wasn't just one of Scotland's greatest footballers... but one of its greatest people, period. Did anyone ever have a bad word to say about him? And just like Mackay, success didn't change him. He remained humble to the end; a man of the people. RIP and God bless Billy. There is a light that never goes out. Edited April 23, 2019 by shaun.lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo 4 Ever Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP What are the "Hail Cesar" references about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott980612 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Rest in Peace Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haken Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Sad news. RIP Mr McNeil. One of Scotland’s sporting greats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun.lawson Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Jambo_in_Hamilton said: RIP What are the "Hail Cesar" references about? His nickname. Nothing to do with Ancient Rome or anything like that; it was after the actor Cesar Romero. Edited April 23, 2019 by shaun.lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo 4 Ever Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 3 minutes ago, shaun.lawson said: His nickname. Nothing to do with Ancient Rome or anything like that; it was after the actor Cesar Romero. ahhh thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bauldrick Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 The most commanding centre Half and captain I have ever seen in Scottish football, never disrespectful to opponents, I dreaded every time he came up for a corner kick against us, he was invincible when heading a ball, a true gentleman who deserves the respect of all true football fans, take note Scott Brown and Griffiths, you could learn so much by the way this man handled his football career, RIP Billy McNeil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Dee Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Sad to hear of the passing of this Scottish legend. A great loss to the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calebs Grandad Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP. I think the cup final has just become even more difficult for us now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graygo Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 22 minutes ago, shaun.lawson said: His nickname. Nothing to do with Ancient Rome or anything like that; it was after the actor Cesar Romero. Never knew that and explains the spelling. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Салатные палочки Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) The greatest Scottish club captain ever. Sad news but by all accounts he suffered for a while. R.I.P. Edited April 23, 2019 by Salad Fingers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guess The Crowd Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP Billy. Personified the way footballers ought to behave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxfee Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 He oozed class - on and off the field. Gave the impression that he was simply a nice man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William H. Bonney Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 1 hour ago, shaun.lawson said: His nickname. Nothing to do with Ancient Rome or anything like that; it was after the actor Cesar Romero. A really obscure nickname when you learn of its origins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch41 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 R.IP. Billy McNeil, I met him once when he was a commentator for TV at Tynecastle and he was a true gent. Loved to spend time chatting about Hearts and how much he respected our club. He was a true Scottish Legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyscott82 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 One of the few true greats of the game who transcend club rivalries. A loss not just for celtic, but for the whole of Scottish football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arry Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 A true legend and gentleman. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
been here before Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 31 minutes ago, Boab said: Hopefully that’s a given. Across the board this weekend. Certain players are above club or allegiencies. They are few and far between but Billy McNeill is one of them. In an age where it seems every week brings another minutes applause or silence for those who are largely anonymous to us, we have the chance to genuinelly show our respect to a true Colossus of Scottish game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martoon Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP A true legend. The image of Billy lifting the European Cup must be one of the most iconic in Scottish football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim1874 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) Hail Cesar, a true legend and a gentleman. Edited April 23, 2019 by Slim1874 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Kintner Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 3 hours ago, PTBCAL said: Term Legend used too easily these days. Not in this case - a true footballing Legend This exactly. RIP Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 When you compare this Celtic captain to the current one... a fantastic player and gentleman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridge of Djoum Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Jambo_in_Hamilton said: RIP What are the "Hail Cesar" references about? FFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo 4 Ever Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 6 minutes ago, Bridge of Djoum said: FFS. ummmmm no need to be rude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Class of 75 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Very sad news and indeed an true gentleman who was respected by all in football. I'm just going to ignore the stupid comments made above. This not the time nor the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP Billy. Dementia is such a horrible disease and if I ever get early signs of this I want somebody to shoot me in the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackLadd Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 RIP to one of the greats of Scottish football and a good man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkie64 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 (edited) RIP Billy, a true legend of the Scottish game, condolences to his family, from a football fan... Edited April 23, 2019 by corkie64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego10 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Very sad news and his legacy as a player and manager is undoubtedly great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsychocAndy Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 R.I.P Billy A Scottish football legend that has all of us, but the extremely hard of thinking, united in sorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Part of a fantastic Celtic side, their best team ever imo. This news saddens me more than I thought could happen. RIP Billy McNeill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 3 hours ago, shaun.lawson said: His nickname. Nothing to do with Ancient Rome or anything like that; it was after the actor Cesar Romero. Cheers for that, Shaun. ? I have never known that fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Great player and captain of the greatest Scottish team ever, an accolade that will last forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 2 hours ago, been here before said: Certain players are above club or allegiencies. They are few and far between but Billy McNeill is one of them. In an age where it seems every week brings another minutes applause or silence for those who are largely anonymous to us, we have the chance to genuinelly show our respect to a true Colossus of Scottish game. Really good post from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 3 hours ago, Dino Velvet said: A really obscure nickname when you learn of its origins. Apparently he got it after the Celtic squad watched the original Oceans Eleven (Rat Pack) film in 1960. The players gave each other nicknames based on the characters and stars. Cesar Romero played a getaway driver and McNeill was then the only player with a car (sign of the times there) and used to drive players around in it. Hence Cesar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William H. Bonney Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 1 minute ago, Francis Albert said: Apparently he got it after the Celtic squad watched the original Oceans Eleven (Rat Pack) film in 1960. The players gave each other nicknames based on the characters and stars. Cesar Romero played a getaway driver and McNeill was then the only player with a car (sign of the times there) and used to drive players around in it. Hence Cesar. Yep. As tenuous as you can get. Shows how times have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Albert Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Sorry at least part of the derivation of the nickname I posted may be bullshit - I should have guessed because it was in the Sun. Romero played an ex-mobster hired by the casinos to get their money back though I guess he may have driven a car in the film at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmmgcycbwc Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Great club man and captain. I believe he had Lithuanian roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crete Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.A Celtic player that everyone respected. R.I.P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davieholt Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 My dad and I watched the 67 final on a wee black and white TV. We were so thrilled to see Celtic win it that we went to the pub to celebrate. A hearts pub (the Moat Bar) but it was bouncing. The sight of Billy heaving the cup over his head will never be forgotten. RIP big man and thanks for the memories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Slim Stylee Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 6 hours ago, PTBCAL said: Term Legend used too easily these days. Not in this case - a true footballing Legend Well said. Knowing the pain dementia causes in a family, part of me breathes a sigh of relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairdryer Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 Thinking of his family at this sad time A Celtic captain with class unlike the present one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toxteth O'Grady Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 They just don't make players like him anymore. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i wish jj was my dad Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 7 hours ago, Nookie Bear said: Short hibs connection - minute's silence/applause on Sunday? Good call and should be respected. Some things matter more than rivalry. A proper legend. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroonnicky63 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 He knew exactly how to represent the club he played for, true legend and a gentleman apparently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girvanjambo Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 One of the very few players respected by every football supporter, irrelevant of allegiances. (Unless brain dead) Was lucky enough to meet him once or twice, humble, polite and a genuine legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
132goals1958 Posted April 23, 2019 Share Posted April 23, 2019 42 minutes ago, girvanjambo said: One of the very few players respected by every football supporter, irrelevant of allegiances. (Unless brain dead) Was lucky enough to meet him once or twice, humble, polite and a genuine legend. He also had a good sense of humor. I recall he and 3 or 4 team-mates participated in a quiz night at the Midlothian Suite against a Hearts team. Came over very well as an unassuming guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.