Billy McNeill was born in 1946 in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. Joining Celtic from his local junior team, Blantyre Victoria, in August 1957, McNeill cost the club £250.

Slowly McNeill began to make the centre of defence his own territory, replacing Bobby Evans. But his early days with Celtic under Jimmy McGrory saw little glory for the club.

Fellow player John Divers recalls McNeill's outburst when Jock Stein was appointed manager of Celtic in 1965: "Oh that's fantastic! Wait and see how things change now!"

He was right. Under Stein Parkhead reached the highest peaks of success in its long history and McNeill was a key figure in realising that glory.

Just six weeks after Stein took up his post the Celts won the Scottish Cup. It was a superb header from McNeill, the captain, that clinched their first trophy for eight years.

He also had the honour of being the first British footballer to hold aloft the European Cup in 1967.

McNeill was capped 29 times for Scotland, five of these at Under-23 level. He also collected seven Scottish Cup winners' medals and six League Cup winners' medals.

In 1975 after winning the Scottish Cup over Airdrie. He had made over 800 appearances for Celtic.

In 1976 McNeill was awarded the MBE. He went on to manage Clyde, Aberdeen, Celtic (twice), Manchester City and Aston Villa.