The legendary Billy McNeill’s magnificent Celtic Story

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The Celtic Star

·3 maggio 2025

The legendary Billy McNeill’s magnificent Celtic Story

50 years ago today – on 3 May 1975 – the playing career of one of Celtic’s most remarkable figures came to an end…

Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

Billy McNeill walked off the Hampden pitch having just led the Bhoys to their latest Scottish Cup triumph. It was the final time he would do this whilst wearing the green-and-white Hoops. This was the latest piece of Celtic folklore into which McNeill wrote his name, and a story that was not yet finished.

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In all of Celtic’s history, Billy McNeill stands out as the club’s greatest ever captain, arguably its most significant ever player. This is his story.

Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

The Billy McNeill Story

McNeill was born in Bellshill on 2 March 1940 in the midst of the Second World War. Just like Celtic, he was the product of immigrants, with a Lithuanian mother and of Irish descent on his father’s side. Most of his childhood was spent in Lanarkshire, although he lived in England for a spell.

Billy’s family eventually moved to Motherwell and it was here that he began to make a footballing name for himself. He played for Our Lady’s High School and his performances earned him a move to Junior side Blantyre Victoria.

Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

As he grew older, his footballing abilities were becoming widely known. He was selected to play for Scotland schoolboys, and this brought him to Celtic’s attention. Jock Stein – at this point the Bhoys’ reserve coach – ensured that McNeill came to Celtic Park, signing in 1957.

Although this year saw Celtic’s famous League Cup Final win 7-1 win over Rangers, it was not generally a happy era for the club. In fact, this would be the last trophy that Celtic would win for eight years.

When Billy made his debut in August 1958 – coming in a 2-0 home win over Clyde – he would soon establish himself as an important part of the club. But the general problems evident at Celtic made him wonder if he should move elsewhere, despite being made captain in 1963.

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Billy McNeill Glasgow Celtic captain. 17 May 1967. Photo TopFotox IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

The turning point for McNeill and Celtic came in 1965. Manager Jimmy McGrory left the club, and he was replaced by Jock Stein. The impact of the new manager was immediate, and it was a story in which McNeill was a central character.

The Celtic Rising

In April 1965, Celtic met Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final, only a matter of weeks after Stein’s arrival. The Hoops were twice behind in the game, but goals from Bertie Auld brought them level. And then McNeill rose above all others to head home a late winner, giving Celtic their first major trophy in almost a decade.

The Celtic Rising – Billy McNeill scores the winner in the 1965 Scottish Cup Final to herald in Celtic’s golden era…

The Bhoys were now off and running, with McNeill as their clear leader. In the following season, Celtic won the League title for the first time since 1954. They also made their mark in Europe, reaching the European Cup-Winners’ Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Liverpool in a controversial match.

The Championship win in 1966 set up Celtic perfectly for what would become their greatest ever season. In 1966-67, the Bhoys famously won every trophy they entered, securing their first ever domestic Treble of League, Scottish Cup and League Cup, as well as winning the Glasgow Cup.

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In the heat of Lisbon

European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan The Celtic team line up, Mannschaftsbild, Totale before defeating Inter Milan to win the European Cup. Back Row Left to Right: Jim Craig; Tommy Gemmell; Ronnie Simpson; Billy McNeill; Bobby Murdoch; and John Clarke. In front, left to right: Stevie Chalmers; Willie Wallace, Jimmy Johnstone; Bobby Lennox; and Bertie Auld. 27 May 1967. Portugal Photo TopFoto (IMAGO) – The Celtic Star.

However, the pinnacle moment came in Portugal, creating an icon of McNeill which remains seared in the very DNA of Celtic. After a gruelling 90 minutes, the Celts beat Inter Milan to claim the European Cup, and then Billy famously stood alone holding the trophy for all to see.

1967 European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan Billy McNeill, captain of Scotland s Celtic Club, holds the European Cup aloft after his team had defeated Inter Milan by 2 -1 in the final. 27th May 1967. imago/United Archives International (The Celtic Star)

Billy McNeill was renowned as Celtic’s leader, and he was given the nickname of Cesar

Billy McNeill was renowned as Celtic’s leader, and he was given the nickname of Cesar. Initially, this was because he drove the same type of car as the American star Cesar Romero. However, many of the Lisbon Lions say it eventually became a tribute to his leadership abilities, akin to a Roman emperor.

Billy McNeill holding the European Cup that Celtic won in 1967 football Lisbon Lions. Photo SMN (The Celtic Star)

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Billy McNeill of Scotland

His abilities also brought him into the Scotland squad. His first appearance was certainly one to forget – in 1961, the Scots lost 9-3 to England! In total, he appeared 29 times in Dark Blue and played his final international game in 1972. He scored three times, including in an 8-0 win over Cyprus in 1969, which is Scotland record post-war victory.

Billy McNeill in Scotland colours – 1972 British Home Championship – Scotland 2 Northern Ireland 0 Scotland s Billy McNeill at Hampden Park, Glasgow. 20/05/1972. Phot IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

17 years between Billy McNeill’s first and last games for Celtic

There were 17 years between Billy McNeill’s first and last games for Celtic. Despite the poor start he had in terms of major trophies (not winning one for seven years), he went on to be a hugely successful figure. In total, he had a very apt 1967 trophy record, namely: 1 European Cup, 9 League titles, 6 League Cups and 7 Scottish Cups.

His final moment in a green-and-white jersey came in May 1975. Celtic met Airdrie in the Scottish Cup Final, hoping to secure more silverware for the season, having already won the Drybrough Cup and League Cup. As ever, McNeill helped drive forward the team, and they claimed a 3-1 win.

Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

Having won the 90th Scottish Cup, Celtic’s on-field leader was carried across the pitch by his teammates, and received the acclaim of the fans. Although it was his final Celtic game – in a career when he was never once substituted – it was not the end of his time in football, or indeed at Celtic.

Billy McNeill’s Final Glory. Celtic v Airdrie. Scottish Cup Final, 3 May 1975. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

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Clyde and Aberdeen next for Billy McNeill

McNeill’s clear leadership skills meant that becoming a manager was almost inevitable. He initially worked on coaching at Celtic Park but wanted more than this. Fittingly, given that his Celtic debut was against Clyde, this club also provided his first managerial appointment, starting in April 1977.

However, his stint at Shawfield proved to be a very fleeting one. Such was Billy’s reputation, he was wanted at a higher level and less than three months after starting at Clyde he was on the move. His next destination was Pittodrie, and he started there in June 1977.

His time at Aberdeen was productive. The Dons were League runners-up – finishing ahead of Celtic – and also Scottish Cup Finalists. The end of this season also saw the end of Jock Stein’s time at Celtic Park. As such, Billy was once more on the move, coming back to Glasgow to take on the top job.

Celtic manager Billy McNeill

Billy McNeill, Jock Stein and John Clark outside the doors of Celtic Park, as Billy is appointed Celtic manager and John his assistant, in summer 1978 Photo The Celtic Wiki

Ten Men Won the League

There could scarcely have been a more dramatic conclusion to his first season as Celtic boss. In 1979, Celtic played Rangers on the final game of the season, needing a win to claim the title. Despite falling behind and having a man sent off, there were huge celebrations as ‘ten men won the League’. Billy McNeill, so successful as a Celtic player, was now off and running as manager too.

Celtic manager Billy McNeill leads the charge at the final whistle in the 4-2 game in May 1979 as Ten Men Won the League. Photo The Celtic Wiki

As well as the 1979 league title, McNeill the manager led the Bhoys to more championship success in 1981 and 1982. They also claimed the 1980 Scottish Cup, in an infamous win over Rangers, which concluded with a major riot at Hampden. In addition, in 1980, Celtic enjoyed a famous 2-0 win over Real Madrid, although still lost on aggregate.

Despite this success, all was not well with Billy’s relationship with the Celtic board. He believed they were not giving him enough backing to succeed, especially with his goal of Celtic making a European impact. In particular, he was furious when Charlie Nicholas was sold to Arsenal.

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Billy McNeill in English football

By the summer of 1983, McNeill’s time with Celtic again ended. But like before, it would not be a final farewell. This time, he went south and in June 1983 was appointed as Manchester City manager.

The first Man City boss to win a major trophy was another former Celt, Tom Maley in 1904. The Manchester team hoped McNeill would also be successful, and he certainly was. He led the Citizens back into England’s top league, winning promotion in 1985, and then kept them in the First Division.

In 1986, he was again on the move. In September, he quit Maine Road to move to Aston Villa. This proved to be a poor decision. His Villa side finished bottom and were relegated, although so were Manchester City too, so perhaps it would not have mattered either way. This ended his time in English football.

Back to Celtic for the Centenary Season and more glory

By the summer of 1987, Celtic were facing a major challenge. Rangers had appointed Graeme Souness as boss and were spending big sums to secure top spot in Scotland. This season marked Celtic’s centenary and so Cesar returned to Celtic Park to try and stop this financial juggernaut.

Celtic manager Billy McNeill at the Scottish Cup Fibal- Image Imago

What happened next is another famous chapter in the Celts’ history. Under McNeill’s leadership, the Bhoys put on amazing performance to claim not just the League but also a Scottish Cup double, doing so 100 years after a Celtic side had first ran onto the pitch.

The following year, the Bhoys followed this up with another Scottish Cup win, thanks to a Joe Miller goal that gave them victory over Rangers. But despite all of this, it was clear that Celtic were a side in decline. The club could not compete with Ibrox riches, and soon began to struggle.

In 1991, amidst great acrimony, Billy McNeill left Celtic. Fan opinion was divided, with some believing that his managerial style no longer suited the modern game. However, he did have one more footballing job, working for Hibs for a season in the late-1990s.

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ITV Mexico commentators Bandidos on The Ball L to R Ian Archer , Ian St John , Ron Atkinson , Brian Moore , David Pleat , Bryan Hamilton , Billy Mcneill , Peter Brackley, Photoshot / Avalon (IMAGO) – The Celtic Star

Outwith sport, McNeill was involved in different activities. This included owning his own pub in the Queen’s Park area. In addition, he played a role in politics, standing as a candidate for the Scottish Senior Citizens’ Unity Party in the 2003 Scottish Parliament elections.

Billy McNeill lifts the European Cup in Lisbon on 25 May 1967. Photo IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

Whilst he would not return to Celtic Park as player or manager, there was still a major connection between Billy and Celtic. In 2002, the club’s fans voted him as Celtic’s greatest ever captain, and part of the Bhoys’ best ever XI.

He was appointed as a club ambassador and in 2015, a statue of him was unveiled at Celtic Park. Fittingly – and obviously – this sees him in his most famous pose, holding aloft the European Cup in 1967.

22 January 2003. Lisbon Lions Testimonial. Celtic v Feyenoord. Lisbon Lion’s captain Billy McNeill (left) Jim Craig lead the squad around Celtic Park with the European Cup. Photo The Celtic Wiki

But away from the happiness of Celtic Park, Billy found that old age brought its own problems. He was diagnosed with dementia and died in April 2019. As would be expected, his funeral was a Celtic affair, with club figures and thousands of fans coming out to bid him farewell.

Celtic Football Club were formed in 1887 and played their first game in 1888. In the intervening time, numerous people have pulled on a Celtic jersey. Whilst many are celebrated, a limited few stand out as true and genuine legends of the club.

There is no doubt that Billy McNeill is not simply one of that group, he has a claim to be at the very top when it comes to considering the greatest ever Celts. A hugely successful player and captain, the leader who helped the club achieve their greatest day, and a victorious manager too.

So, all hail Cesar – Celtic’s greatest ever captain!

Matthew Marr

If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.

Click on cover to order a hardback copy

Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.

Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books.