LISBON LION In the 1960s, Bertie Auld was the strutting master of Jock Stein’s all-star team.

In an EXCLUSIVE series, CQN is honoring the life and amazing times of the Celtic legend by featuring excerpts from his best-selling autobiography, “A Bhoy Called Bertie,” which he co-wrote with writer and friend Alex Gordon.

Bertie’s memories of a teenage defender just beginning his journey to legendary status at Celtic round out this incredible life narrative.

On August 23, 1958, BILLY McNEILL and I played our first Celtic match at Parkhead against Clyde. On May 1, 1971, I played my final match for Celtic against the same opponents at the same location.

He was declared the winner. I emerged victorious. I believe you may assume that during the thirteen years that separated us, we had a few memories in common.

Billy joined from Blantyre Celtic in August 1957, while I signed my first-ever contract from Maryhill Juniors in April 1955. I was able to integrate our new center-half into the first squad since I had a two-year advantage over him. Even though I had made my debut the year before, I wasn’t able to establish myself as a top side regular.

Up until the League Cup Final against Rangers on October 19, 1957, I participated in six straight League Cup ties. I was not included in the starting lineup for Hampden. My position was taken by Neilly Mochan at outside left, where he scored two goals as Celtic defeated our former opponents 7-1. I wish I could have been on the field that day, but when you look at the score, it’s impossible to be upset.

NO WAY THROUGH…Billy McNeill and Bertie Auld combine to help keeper Ronnie Simpson repel a raid from Rangers striker Alex Smith.in the 1-0 League Cup Final triumph at Hampden in 1966.

When Billy got ready to take his bow in those green-and-white hoops, I was scarcely a seasoned player. In addition to being our regular center-half, Bobby Evans was a member of the Scotland national squad. As he had held that post consistently since 1948, it appeared that Billy would need the use of explosives to remove him from his position.

Additionally, keep in mind that Evans led the team to victory in the Coronation Cup in 1953 against the trophy’s front-runners, Hibs. Evans greatly neutralized the threat posed by Lawrie Reilly, the standout forward for Edinburgh, and also made a significant role to Jimmy Walsh’s second goal as Celtic triumphed 2-0.

In 1956, he became the first Celtic captain to win the League Cup, and he was back for the 7-1 thumping the following season. His admirers held him in high regard.

But Billy was obviously keen to leave his mark that afternoon. To most of our followers, he would have been a new Bhoy, but I had played with him in the reserves a few times, so I knew what to expect from enthusiastic eighteen-year-old central defenders.

YOUNG BHOY…a fresh-faced Billy McNeill at the kick-off to his spectacular career.

NINETY MINUTES FROM DESTINY…Billy McNeill and his opposite number, Dunfermline captain Jim McLean, lead out their teams for the 1965 Scottish Cup Final. 

HAMPDEN HALLELUJAH…Billy McNeill celebrates his headed winner in the Scottish Cup showpiece against Dunfermline in 1965 – Celtic’s first piece of silverware in eight years. 

Bobby was not very tall, definitely not six foot, having switched from the old right-half berth to the middle of the rearguard. He was strong in the tackle, had a mop of brilliant red hair, and was an excellent passer of the ball due to his robust build. Big Billy would have been the center of attention versus the Shawfield team.

His followers may have found it interesting—or even shocking—that he was nearly the complete opposite of their hero. Billy was tall, about six feet two inches, very thin, and, of course, had fair hair.

There were no lengthy team meetings before to kickoff before Jock Stein. Although we all understood that chairman Bob Kelly had the last word on team matters, Jimmy McGrory was the manager. At times, it was absurd, and there were instances when you weren’t aware of your participation until roughly 30 minutes prior to the game commencing.

What stands out in my memory from Billy’s first fight? To tell the truth, not too much. I remember that around ten minutes before halftime, I took a shot that gave us the lead, and I know that Sammy Wilson gave us an early lead with a header. All of my objectives are still fresh in my mind; I only wish there had been more!

I accepted a pass as I came in from the old inside-left position and, fortunately for me, the defenders backed off. Had they forgotten my left foot was a magic wand? I hit the ball from about twenty yards and it flew wide of their keeper, a guy called Tommy McCulloch.

Astoundingly, at the age of thirty-seven, he was still in goal for Clyde when I played my last game for the club in May 1971. Billy’s first appearance concluded with a 2-0 triumph and I like to think I contributed to his first win bonus. Well, that’s what I’ve been telling my big mate for years, anyway.

Bobby Evans, who had returned from international duty, might have expected to walk straight back into the team. That was not the case, though. Bob Kelly had taken a shine to Billy and that was an open sesame to the first team.

STRIP STRIP HOORAY…Billy McNeill (back row, second left) and Bertie Auld (front row, extreme right) in the legendary shamrock outfit.

Billy and I played the remaining five games in the League Cup, winning four against Airdrie (2-0), St Mirren (3-0), Cowdenbeath (2-1 and 8-1 in the two-legged quarter-finals) before losing 2-1 to Partick Thistle in the last four at Ibrox in front of a crowd of 45,000.

That would have been Billy’s first major disappointment in football. We were looking to win the silverware for three successive seasons, especially after that 7-1 result the previous year.

Theoretically, Billy McNeill had been only three hours away from his first medal after a mere nine games – he had played three in the league – in senior football.

You could say he made up for it on the honours list as his extraordinary career developed.

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