Jinky Statue

From celticfc.net :

Joe Sullivan
CELTIC Football Club today announced that it is to construct a statue at Celtic Park to commemorate and celebrate the life of Celtic Legend Jimmy Johnstone.

The statue of Jimmy will be funded solely by the club and will be positioned at the main entrance at Celtic Park. Planning with regards to the statue will begin immediately.

Jinky signed for Celtic in 1961. He made over 500 appearances for Celtic, scoring 130 goals and he was an integral part of the Lisbon Lions side which lifted the European Cup in 1967.

A true character, Jimmy’s flair and style was admired world-wide as he tormented defences with his skill and trickery.

As well as playing so successfully for Celtic, Jimmy also achieved 23 caps for Scotland. In 2002, Jimmy was voted Celtic’s greatest ever player by the club’s supporters.

Tragically, Jimmy passed away in 2006 after his brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease. On the day of his funeral, thousands of people lined the streets of Glasgow to pay their respects.

The contribution which the great Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions have made to the club, has already been marked through the naming of stands at Celtic Park.

Celtic Chairman Brian Quinn said: “We are delighted to announce that the magical Jimmy Johnstone is to be remembered and recognised in this way.

“The statue will celebrate Jimmy’s huge contribution to the club and will be a permanent tribute to Jimmy for generations to come.”

Brian added: “Jimmy really was the greatest. An entertainer on and off the field, he is sorely missed by everyone, however, we are delighted to ensure that his life will be celebrated in this way.

“It is most fitting that the great Jock Stein, the Lisbon Lions as a team and now Jimmy Johnstone, a magical player and a man who graced the Celtic shirt with such distinction, will be recognised in this way at Celtic Park.”

Agnes Johnstone, Jimmy’s widow said: "It is wonderful that Jimmy is to be honoured in this way at Celtic Park and our family is very grateful to the club for this gesture.

"Clearly Celtic Park played such a huge part in Jimmy's life and it is fantastic that this permanent tribute will now be placed at the stadium for fans to see."

 

fair play..

 

Great News!

Jimmy, Oh Jimmy Johnstone!

 

a fitting tribute to a truly great Celt

 

great news deserves nothing less hail hail

 

Excellent news

 

Great news! his heart belonged to celtic (just like the fans)

 

brilliant news. hail hail

 

Great news.

 

using a phrase used far too much today he was truely OUTSTANDING !!!!

 

Fantastic

 

Great news just a pity he's not here to see it.

 

good news but what about a wayne biggins fountain in the centre circle?

 

Great news.

Quite strange though, just a few days ago I was thinking, whats going on with naming a stand after him or putting up a statue, there was talk of it when he died but it went quite latly, seems my question has been answerd lol.

Well done to the board for this.

 

No question this is a well deserved honour for a truly great player. Not just a great Celtic player though but also a man who held the club very close to his heart.

 

it's about time too,it should have been erected when he was voted greatest celt imo & they should put 1 up for big jock while they are at it

 

I just looked at the website yeah there is actually for the non believers.

 

Great news! Just a pitty the old mob who ran the place in the late 70s and 80s didnt help him out when he had to dig the road up for a living he was a great player and true legend.

 

We should get a Sebo statue, made out of solid plastic.