RIP Bertie Auld

Just heard there too, Rest in peace another real legend gone

 

Sad day didn't know he had dementia rip Bertie

 

Infectious smile and personality. A life well lived. RIP

 

Can't stop crying. Absolute LEGEND. R.I.P. Bertie

 

Absolutely gutted what a man

 

That’s a cracking wee video mate

 

True legend, R. I. P. bertie

 

Everyone at Celtic Football Club is devastated to hear of the passing of Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld, who has died at the age of 83, and the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club are with Bertie’s family at this extremely sad time.

Bertie was a legend of the club for his many achievements in the green and white Hoops throughout his playing career, and he was adored by the entire Celtic Family for the passion and love that he always showed for Celtic.

In two spells with the club – 1955-61 and then 1965-71 – he made 283 appearances, scoring 85 goals. He won five league titles, four League Cups, three Scottish Cups and, of course, the European Cup in 1967 when he was part of the legendary Celtic side that beat Inter Milan 2-1 on May 25, 1967 in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional to lift the trophy.

As well as playing his part in that historic day, Bertie also became famous for having led his team-mates in singing ‘The Celtic Song’ in the tunnel that day as they lined up alongside the Inter Milan team.

Celtic chairman, Ian Bankier said: “The most sincere thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Bertie’s family at such a difficult time, following this tragic loss.

“I don’t think words can ever adequately describe what Bertie meant to the Club and our supporters. He was a giant of a player, a giant of a man and quite simply Mr. Celtic.

“He scaled the greatest of heights as a player with his talent but it is who he was as a man that made him so much more to us all.

“He enriched all our lives so greatly with his humour, his character and personality and for that we will forever be grateful.

“It was an absolute privilege to have known Bertie and I know just how deeply his passing will be felt by all Celtic supporters. Bertie will forever be regarded as a Celtic great and he will forever be in our hearts.

“We all mourn his passing with great sadness and, of course, we offer our full support to Bertie’s family. May you rest in peace, Bertie.”

Michael Nicholson, acting Chief Executive, said: “To lose Bertie is tragic news and we offer our prayers and support to Bertie’s family at such a difficult time.

“Bertie will always be remembered as one of Celtic’s greatest ever sons, part of a team that delivered the greatest prize of all to the Club and its supporters.

“He brought so much joy to Celtic supporters on and off the field and we thank him and pay tribute to him sincerely for that.

“It was an absolute joy and privilege to be in Bertie’s company, and his brilliant spirit and sense of humour will live long in all our memories.

“He loved the Club so much and, in turn, he was so deeply loved by us all as Celtic supporters.

“Bertie was just unique, there will never be another like him and this really is a very sad day. Our deepest condolences are with Bertie’s family.”





Born on March 23, 1938 in Maryhill, Bertie had just turned 17 when he joined Celtic on April 2, 1955, having caught the eye of scouts while playing for Maryhill Harp.

He would later recall the day he had gone up to Celtic Park to sign for the club, saying: “Both me and my Dad were standing in the middle of the centre circle and he turned round and said to me, ‘Wait ‘til you see this place and wait ‘til you hear this support. If you’re good, they’ll applaud you and if you are fortunate enough to be a success, they’ll never forget you’.”

It’s certainly true to say that the Celtic support did applaud Bertie Auld many times over the next few years, and they have never ever forgotten what he did for the club.

Having joined the club in 1955, Bertie had a loan spell with Dumbarton before returning to the club, and he made his debut in a Charity Cup match against Rangers on May 1, 1957.

It would be just a few months later, however, that the Hoops would record their famous 7-1 victory over Rangers in the League Cup final. Bertie had played in every round of the tournament, but missed out on the final in favour of Neilly Mochan. Bertie, though disappointed to have missed out on that famous victory, always acknowledged that the more experienced Mochan deserved his place in the team.

He remained with the club until 1961 when he left to join Birmingham City, spending four years in England, during which time he won the League Cup with City.

He returned to Paradise in January 1965, just two months before Jock Stein returned to the club as manager, and Bertie would be an integral part of the success Celtic enjoyed over the next few seasons, both domestically and in Europe, forging a midfield partnership with Bobby Murdoch that was unrivalled in world football at that time.

Bertie’s first competitive goal came on August 28, 1957 in a League Cup sectional game against East Fife at Celtic Park, while his last competitive goal in Celtic colours came at Dens Park in a 2-1 victory over Dundee on April 6, 1970.

In Jock Stein’s first game in charge as Celtic manager, Bertie scored five goals in a 6-0 win over Airdrie, while his two most famous goals for the Hoops came in the 1965 Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic, a game that kick-started the golden era under Jock Stein.

Nicknamed ‘Ten-thirty’ – some Cockney rhyming slang, mixed in with Glaswegian pronunciation! – Bertie Auld was very much a Glasgow boy, born and bred, and proud of his city.

His ‘gallus’ nature was an integral part of his character on and off the field, and as well as being a player of superb quality, he could look after himself – which is probably a diplomatic way of saying that Bertie could be as hard as nails when the occasion arose.

Those qualities, and an incredible determination to win, were harnessed by Jock Stein and used to help drive the team to countless triumphs.

Bertie would later go into football management with Partick Thistle, Hibernian, Hamilton and Dumbarton, but his heart was always at Paradise.

And whether it was at Celtic Park on a matchday, at supporters’ functions in Scotland, Ireland or further afield, going to Celtic FC Foundation events or just meeting fans, Bertie was always at the centre of things, happy to spend time talking about the club and recounting wonderful stories of when he and his team-mates were the Kings of Europe and one of the best teams in the world.

Bertie Auld always loved being a Celt, and the Celtic supporters loved him in return.

Rest in peace, Bertie. You’ll Never Walk Alone.

 

Awful news ,devastated ,such a sad day to lose a genius and a legend * Bless Bertie

 

Terrible news. Was an amazing man to all those lucky enough to meet him

 

Heartbroken.

For me, he’s the definition of Mr Celtic. The club won’t ever be the same with him around.

By far my most loved Celt.

RIP.

 

Him leading the team into song in the tunnel on the way out in Lisbon is the greatest story in football.


Really can’t quantify what him and his pals done for our club.

 

Really gutted about this. My favourite lion, filled a room with so much joy.

RIP Bertie YNWA

 

So so sad to hear this one of a kind when he spoke about Celtic you could see the love and pride he had for the club. R.I.P. Bertie

 

The best ambassador of Celtic there has ever been. R.I.P. Legend.