A Day Of Celtic History – Part 3 – Billy McNeill Statue | OneFootball

The final leg of my Celtic history day, last weekend, concluded in Bellshill. I left Kilsyth and 25 minutes later, found myself parking up beside Billy McNeill’s statue.

It shows McNeill walking out with a rolled up pennant in his hand. However, the nice added touch is three separate plaques located up a ramp, beside the statue. They detail the community in which McNeill lived, his achievements at Celtic and a piece about the statue itself.

The first stone reads:

Billy MCNeill (MBE) was born in Bellshill on 2nd March 1940 and was brought up and married in the Bellshill and Mossend District. As well as native Scots, this area historically attracted immigrants, especially from Ireland but also from Lithuania and Italy. Overwhelmingly from poor farming and working class backgrounds, they came to Scotland to make a better life for themselves and their families. Billy matured to manhood in this multi-ethnic community with a strong sense of itself. He became the most famous captain of Celtic Football club and made a record 790 appearances for the club.

During his captaincy, the club achieved unprecedented success, peaking in 1967 by winning the European Cup, the first British and non-Latin club to win the prestigious tournament, the forerunner to the Champions League.

The middle stone reads:

BILLY MCNEILL

THE PLAYER Celtic’s Greatest ever Captain European Cup 1967 9 Scottish League Championships 7 Scottish Cups 6 Scottish League Cups 29 Scotland Caps

THE MANAGER 4 Scottish League Championships 3 Scottish Cups 1 Scottish League Cup

The final stone reads:

Billy was one of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsmen. His dedication from a young age, to a profession in which he had talent, was based on hard work and determination.

Billy McNeill was a true leader and inspiration, on and off the field of play. Let all young people aspire to their full potential.

Billy passed away on 22nd April 2019.

May this image of Billy inspire the future generations of young people, to maximise their potential, in sport and in life.

This statue was funded through the Billy McNeill Commemoration Committee, who raised funds locally and received worldwide donations.