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Billy McNeil RIP


jamboiain13

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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.

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shaun.lawson

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 by shaun.lawson
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shaun.lawson
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 by shaun.lawson
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Jambo 4 Ever
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

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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.

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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.   ?

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Салатные палочки

The greatest Scottish club captain ever. 

 

Sad news but by all accounts he suffered for a while.

 

R.I.P. 

Edited by Salad Fingers
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William H. Bonney
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. 

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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.

 

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andyscott82

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. 

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been here before
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.

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RIP

 

A true legend. The image of Billy lifting the European Cup must be one of the most iconic in Scottish football. 

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Alex Kintner
3 hours ago, PTBCAL said:

Term Legend used too easily these days.

 

Not in this case - a true footballing Legend 

 

This exactly. RIP Billy.

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Bridge of Djoum

When you compare this Celtic captain to the current one...

 

a fantastic  player and gentleman. 

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Bridge of Djoum
2 hours ago, Jambo_in_Hamilton said:

RIP

 

 

What are the "Hail Cesar" references about?

FFS.

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Class of 75

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. 

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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. 

 

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RIP Billy, a true legend of the Scottish game, condolences to his family, from a football fan...

 

Edited by corkie64
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PsychocAndy

R.I.P Billy

A Scottish football legend that has all of us,  but the extremely hard of thinking,  united in sorrow.

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Part of a fantastic Celtic side, their best team ever imo.

 

This news saddens me more than I thought could happen.

 

RIP Billy McNeill.

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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.

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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. 

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Francis Albert
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.

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William H. Bonney
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. 

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Francis Albert

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.

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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

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Big Slim Stylee
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.

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i wish jj was my dad
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.

 

 

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girvanjambo

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.

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132goals1958
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.

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