Thousands watch Bertie Auld funeral at Celtic Park
It was broadcast on a screen at Celtic Way.
Last updated 26th Nov 2021
Thousands of fans descended on Celtic Park earlier to watch the funeral of Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld.
He made history as part of Jock Stein's side which won the European Cup in 1967 and died at the age of 83.
Auld's funeral service took place at St Mary's in Calton in the east end of Glasgow, the church whose hall held the meeting that led to the establishment of the club in 1887.
Former managers Neil Lennon and Brendan Rodgers were among those who joined Auld's family, including wife Liz and children Robert and Susan.
Former players included Dixie Deans, John Clark, George McCluskey, Frank McAvennie, Joe Miller and Tom Boyd.
Current manager Ange Postecoglou was present along with his first-team squad to pay their respects following Auld's death at the age of 83 following a battle with dementia.
Among those speaking was Auld's fellow Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, who recounted the story of his team-mate launching into song in the tunnel beside a bemused Inter Milan team ahead of Celtic's European Cup final triumph in 1967.
Praising Auld's perceptive powers, Craig said of their opponents: "I have to admit they looked great, by the way. Tanned and oiled, their cashmere strip a thing of beauty, their boots gleaming, they just looked the part.
"We, on the other hand, were, to use a Scottish expression, peely-wally by comparison, our three days in the Portuguese sun giving us red blotches on our cheeks and that was about it.
"It was a European Cup final, our biggest match of the season, and, like me, I suspect everyone was a bit on the apprehensive side.
"I have always thought Bertie noticed this and immediately raised his voice and launched into the Celtic Song. After a minute or two, we all joined in and it certainly helped us to cope with the big occasion.
"The Inter guys were less impressed. From the looks on their faces, I always thought that their reaction was: 'What the blazes is this we are playing?' They would soon know."
Finishing his speech, Craig fought back tears and said: "Bertie Auld was a great Celt and, equally importantly, a very nice man. May he rest in peace."
Thousands of supporters later gathered outside Celtic Park and sang the Celtic Song as Auld's coffin was driven past.
One supporter told Clyde 1: "I met him at a few functions and he was always the joker of the pack.
"He had a story for everybody and time for everybody as well - he was Mr Celtic."
Another said: "He was never serious and put a smile on your face."
Remembering Bertie Auld
Scottish football has been sharing its memories of Bertie Auld since his death with tributes also in the House of Commons.
Football writer and Superscoreboard pundit Hugh Keevins told Clyde 1:
“Bertie was drawn to people like a magnet and the banter he had with the Rangers supporters was unbelievable.
“I heard a story that he met a someone who was a Rangers supporter and Bertie said: ‘Would you like my autograph?’ He said: ‘But I’m a Rangers supporter!’ and Bertie replied: ’Well, I won’t use joined-up writing, then’.”
“Before Celtic Park was the ground it is today there was the area known as ‘The Jungle’. Bertie Auld played to the crowd in ‘The Jungle’ as if they were the audience in the London Palladium.”
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