It is the iconic image that reassured generations of the Celtic Family through some tough times.
This was the first time that a player from a club in Britain had lifted the European Cup and that made it a unique moment.
Of course, it would not be the last time that the trophy would travel across the channel to Blighty, but the first is always the first.
Bill Shankly wisely observed that it was the moment that Celtic’s manager had become “immortal”.
The ex-miner from Glenbuck was entirely correct about his collier pal from Burnbank.
However, it was also true about Stein’s men on the pitch.
When Billy McNeill raised the cup above his head that day it was also the only time that a club from Scotland had won the coveted trophy.
That immortal moment captured by the shutter on May 25th 1967 at Stadio Nacional shone a light on an indomitable spirit.
Billy McNeil was Stein’s leader on the field and the Big Man had chosen well.
From the age of seven and on into my teenage years Big Billy lifting trophies was a regular occurrence for me.
It all seemed perfectly natural and this Celtic kid had no idea how special this era was in my club’s history.
Billy’s Baltic DNA had given him a towering presence as a centre half and an ability to head the ball ferociously.
Although Stein’s men played an open expansive game it was often the case that his captain would prove decisive at set pieces.
It cannot be discounted that McNeill’s aerial prowess throughout his career possibly took a terrible toll in later life.
Consequently, that is something that association football cannot be dismissive of regarding the health of current players.
Like everything that came his way in life, Billy faced it all with courage and dignity.
Last night the mighty heart that powered through the heat of Lisbon finally came to rest.
His family have lost a loved one and their loss is the greatest of all.
My thoughts are with the McNeill family.
Rest easy Cesar.
You rest now, Billy but we are the ones who are thankful for the memories.
A leader of men and Captain of Lions, you’ve earned all the plaudits. YNWA
I was 7 when I witnessed that winner against Dunfermline and 9 when he scored the winner against Vojvodina and lifted the cup on the 25th May,but I remember a game that he won for us without using any of his footballing abilities, just his voice. The 3-3 draw with Benfica and the dreaded coin toss. Thoughts and prayers with Mr Celtic and the entire McNeil family
R.I.P. THE ONE AND ONLY KING BILLY,A LEADER AND A TRUE LEGEND.
GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
HH💚🍀✅🇮🇪
My God, seeing and listening to the reaction to Billy’s death has hit the Celtic family hard and emotions are running high.
There may well be a sea of tears at Celtic Park this weekend but somehow the players have to focus on the 90 minutes, put 3 points on the board for our Captain and take us to the brink of 8 IAR.
Lots on the headline that Billy was the first British player to lift the European Cup.
Not just the first British, first Scottish, but the first captain of a non Latin team to lift the trophy.
Up till 1967 the trophy was the exclusive reserve of Spanish, Italian and Portoguese teams.
I was 10 years old when I attended my first Scottish Cup final in 1975.
It was also the day that Cesar played his last game for Celtic at the age of 35.
He said some years later that he felt he had retired too soon and I would have to agree with him just going by his imperious performance in the 3-1 win over Airdrieonians that day.
I was blessed to remember seeing him play and will always cherish the memories he left me.
Rest in peace our greatest ever captain. That’s some achievement when you think of the other candidates for the title; Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, McStay (James and Paul), James Kelly and so many more.
It is only now that I recollect a story that was doing the rounds when Cesar was our manager. Celtic had been having a bit of a bad time of it, results-wise. I think it was against Hearts at Celtic Park when we had it really bad. Story has it that, at full-time, Billy stormed into the celtic dressing room, and read the riot act, telling every single one of his charges that they “were not fit to wear a celtic jersey”. The following Saturday, it was as though we had 11 brand-new players, all proud to wear the famous hoops, and what the shirt, and indeed, the club symbolised.
I don’t know if there is any truth to that story, but I can imagine that there is more than a grain of truth to it, because I don’t see King Billy Mc Neill accepting 2nd-best from any of his players. Never forget – he learned from the best.
God bless you, Cesar. As you lose your mortality, you have immediately become immortal! RIP, Cesar. 😢😢😢
My thoughts and prayers with Billy’s family at this time, the Celtic family have lost a true legend.
A great captain, a great person and a great loss to the Celtic family. Many of us were lucky enough to know him and the best tribute I can give him was he was as great a player as he was a footballer. The world is a sorry place without him being “frank with you” and discussing things “in many many ways” RIP Billy
It’s ironic that only in the last week Athlete Bilbao honoured Billy with their one club for life award, accepted on his behalf by his son and a few of the remaining Lions.
It must be strange, as a family, to share your personal loss with so many.
But I’m sure at the end of the day it will be a comfort to them to reflect on how many lives he has touched.
Hail Cesar.
GREAT MAN GREAT LEADER TRUE GENTLEMAN GREAT CELTIC CAPTAIN RIP
Thanks for the wonderful memories, you were truly a legend. Hail Hail Cesar.
The Big Man was a great centre half, a captain and a leader but most of all he was a truly great person. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at the open golf at Royal Troon and chatting to him for a good half hour. What a gentleman and humble person he was. My greatest memory is not him picking up the European Cup but the goal he scored against Vojvodina to take us into the semi finals. What a header that was I was in the enclosure parallel to where Billy rose like a gazelle and bulleted his header into the back of the net. Parkhead erupted and the rest is history. I was 12 years old and that memory is still fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday.
Gone but never forgotten.
RIP Big Man.
God Bless you,Thanks for the great pleasure watching your Heart in our team, Rest in peace Billy McNeill
The whole Celtic Family’ lost a dear relation today…
☘️🏆🏴
RIP our greatest captain. I was in the schoolboy enclosure at Hampden in 1965 when Billy scored the winner against Dunfermline making the Scottish Cup the first of Jock’s trophy hall.
He also scored the last minute winner against Vodjvodina in the 1966/67 European Cup quarter final victory, saving us travelling to Amsterdam for a play off. Again I was fortunate to be on the terracing that night as history was being written.
Simpson, Gemmell, Murdoch, Jinky and now big Billy, all gone but will never be forgotten by the Celtic family.
Condolences to the family who have been there throughout his long illness.
Hail Hail Billy and Rest In Peace.
Hail Cesar,they don’t make footballers like the big man anymore,RIP Billy.
Truly a great-a legendary figure who featured in all of our lives and gave us immense joy. He also gave me one of the greatest piss-ups in my life and that’s saying something! Hail Hail Cesar.
Well said. What a terribly sad day. But also an opportunity to reflect and be thankful. RIP Billy McNeill https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/hail-hail/