Former Players
We're kicking off our former players' section with CELTIC'S GREATEST XI and there will be more to come…
RONNIE SIMPSON
Debut: v Barcelona; November 18, 1964 (Fairs Cities' Cup)
Appearances: 188
Shut-outs: 91
Known affectionately by his team-mates as 'Faither', Ronnie Simpson was the elder statesman of the Lisbon Lions. He joined Celtic from Hibernian in 1964, ironically sold by Jock Stein who would arrive at Celtic Park a year later. But instead of that heralding the end of Simpson's Celtic career, it ushered in a golden era - for player and club - as the Hoops dominated Scottish football and scaled the heights of Europe with their Lisbon triumph in 1967. The medals Simpson won at Celtic were added to the honours he'd already won in the game – FA Cup winner's medals with Newcastle United – while he'd also taken part in the 1948 Olympics. Simpson retired through injury in 1970, though he did make a symbolic appearance before the start of the game against Clyde on May 1, 1971 – the last time the Lisbon Lions played together. Always a popular figure with supporters, he passed away in 2004 at the age of 73.
DANNY McGRAIN
Debut: v Dundee United; August 26, 1970 (Scottish League Cup)
Appearances: 663
Goals: 8
A player of immense talent, Danny McGrain also showed tremendous courage throughout his life and career to come back from a number of serious injuries, and also to continue to play at the highest level after being diagnosed with diabetes. McGrain was one of the famous Quality Street Gang, a group of talented youngsters who came through the ranks at Celtic in the late 1960s and early '70s, and made his debut in 1970, having originally signed for the club just before the Lisbon triumph. McGrain remained at Celtic Park until 1987 and was part of many triumphs, along the way, including the nine-in-a-row era, the 1977 Double, the 1979 league triumph when '10 men won the League', the 1980 Scottish Cup final and the dramatic 1986 league championship clincher at Love Street. McGrain remains at Celtic to this day, in charge of the Development Squad.
TOMMY GEMMELL
Debut: v Aberdeen; January 5, 1963 (Scottish League)
Appearances: 418
Goals: 64
There are not many players who can boast of scoring in a European Cup final, but Tommy Gemmell can better even those who have achieved this feat, because he netted in TWO European Cup finals. His goal in the 1967 final against Inter Milan brought Celtic level, while he also scored three years later at the San Siro against Feyenoord. An attacking full-back, Gemmell was also a deadball expert, and scored 31 out of 34 penalties he took for Celtic. Once described by Jock Stein as 'the best left-back in the world,' Gemmell was an integral part of Celtic's success in the late 1960s, winning five league championships with the club. He left for Nottingham Forest in 1971, but returned to Scotland two years later when he joined Dundee, helping them beat Celtic in the League Cup final of 1973.
BOBBY MURDOCH
Debut: v Hearts; August 11, 1962 (Scottish League Cup)
Appearances: 484
Goals: 102
When Bobby Murdoch played, Celtic played. Ask any of his former team-mates and they are all agreed on this point. 'Jinky was the best entertainer,' said Bertie Auld, who partnered Murdoch in the heart of the Celtic midfield, 'but as far as I'm concerned, Bobby Murdoch was the best player.' The gifted midfielder had made a goalscoring debut against Hearts, thrust into the side that day in 1962 after John Divers had forgotten his football boots, and from then on he began to establish himself in the first-team and forge a reputation as a player of supreme ability. Like many of his talented team-mates, it was the arrival of Jock Stein in 1965 which proved a defining moment in Murdoch's career, helping to transform him from a potentially great player to one of absolute world-class talent. A Celtic legend, Murdoch also went on to establish himself as a Middlesbrough great after leaving Celtic Park in 1973. He sadly passed away in May 2001.
BILLY McNEILL
Debut: v Clyde; August 23, 1958 (Scottish League Cup)
Appearances: 790
Goals: 34
The man known simply as 'Cesar', Billy McNeill is Celtic personified. He captained the team during the club's greatest era under the management of Jock Stein, making more appearances for Celtic than any other player in the long and illustrious history of the club. He also managed the club on two occasions, delivering further success including the unforgettable Centenary double triumph of 1988. Another player who flourished under Jock Stein, McNeill scored the winning goal in the 1965 Scottish Cup triumph over Dunfermline Athletic which heralded the beginning of a golden era. Nine league titles in a row followed, while there was the 1967 European Cup triumph in Lisbon, with the Celtic captain holding aloft the famous trophy now an iconic image. He took over as manager from Stein in 1978 and won the league title in his first season on the famous night when '10 men won the league'. Today, he is the club's ambassador, and he remains a popular and revered figure amongst the Celtic support.
BERTIE AULD
Debut: v Airdrie; August 24, 1957 (Scottish League Cup)
Appearances: 275
Goals: 85
A player who enjoyed two spells at Celtic, the midfielder first joined Celtic in 1955 and played alongside some of the greats of that era, including Charlie Tully, Willie Fernie, Bertie Peacock and Billy McPhail amongst others. He left Celtic in 1961 for Birmingham City but returned to Paradise in January 1965, two months before Jock Stein arrived. And he helped Celtic lift the Scottish Cup in 1965, scoring two of Celtic's goals in the 3-2 victory over Dunfermline at Hampden. A tough-tackling midfielder, Auld was also a player of immense skill and, alongside Bobby Murdoch, created one of the most stylish and influential midfield partnerships in world football at that time. He left Celtic for Hibernian in 1971. He is a regular figure at Celtic Park on matchdays and is a popular and wonderfully entertaining presence at the stadium.
JIMMY JOHNSTONE
Debut: v Kilmarnock; March 27, 1963 (Scottish League)
Appearances: 515
Goals: 130
It was a less than auspicious start for the man who would be voted the Greatest Ever Celt as he made his first-team debut in a 6-0 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. But Jimmy Johnstone would go on to enjoy a memorable career with his beloved Hoops, helping Celtic to unprecedented success both at home and in Europe. Blessed with a God-given talent, Jimmy Johnstone was an old-style 'dribbler', who mesmerised some of the best defenders in world football with his unique talents. Indeed, just two weeks after helping Celtic win the European Cup, he stole the show against Real Madrid in the Alfredo Di Stefano Testimonial at the Bernabeu Stadium, with the Spanish fans on their feet and shouting 'Ole!' whenever he got the ball. In 2002, Celtic fans voted 'Jinky' the Greatest Ever Celt, an accolade that was truly deserved. He sadly passed away in March 2006 after a long and courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
PAUL McSTAY
Debut: v Queen of the South; January 23, 1982 (Scottish Cup)
Appearances: 677
Goals: 72
The man known as 'The Maestro', Paul McStay is one of the most gifted players ever to have worn the green and white Hoops. Only Billy McNeill has made more appearances for the club than McStay, who burst on to the scene in 1982 as a 17-year-old. He had wonderful ability on the ball and the vision to pick out a pass that no-one else on the park could see – who else would have a pass celebrated in the manner that McStay's defence-splitting ball in the 2-0 victory over Rangers on January 2, 1988? He was an integral part of the side that won the double in the Centenary season, while three years before he and his brother, Willie, had been in the Scottish Cup-winning side of 1985. McStay was a one-club man, and carried the team throughout the early, dismal 1990s. There was no-one happier than the Maestro when Celtic won the Scottish Cup in 1995 and he lifted the trophy as Celtic captain. Paul McStay was also part of a Celtic footballing dynasty, with his great-uncles, Jimmy and Willie, having played for Celtic in early decades of the 20th century.
KENNY DALGLISH
Debut: v Hamilton; September 25, 1968 (Scottish League Cup)
Appearances: 320
Goals: 167
Another member of the famous Quality Street Gang, Kenny Dalglish is one of the most talented players Scotland has ever produced and certainly one of the best to have worn the green and white Hoops. He made his Celtic debut as a 17-year-old, though it would be another three seasons before he broke into the first-team, and that's where he would stay until he left for Liverpool in 1977. It was in his last season that Dalglish helped Celtic win the Double, part of a world-class triumvirate alongside Danny McGrain and Pat Stanton, and great things were expected the following season before Dalglish left and the other two players suffered long-term injuries. But while Dalglish went on to star for Liverpool on the domestic and European stage, he did leave behind some great memories for the Celtic support, and was an integral part of the club as they secured nine-in-a-row in the early 1970s.
HENRIK LARSSON
Debut: v Berwick Rangers; August 9, 1997 (Scottish League Cup
Appearances: 315
Goals: 242
In seven seasons at Celtic, the player known as the 'Magnificent Seven' established himself as one of the greatest ever to play for the Hoops, and became the third top goalscorer of all-time behind Bobby Lennox (273) and Jimmy McGrory (468). Henrik Larsson was signed from Feyenoord by Wim Jansen in 1997 and the Swedish striker helped Celtic win their first title in a decade, stopping Rangers' bid for 10-in-a-row in the process. He proved to be a goalscoring machine, and when he returned in season 2000/01 following a leg break, he was better than ever. He scored 53 goals in all competitions that treble-winning season, including 35 in the league, which gave him Europe's Golden Boot Award. He helped fire Celtic to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, though his two goals in that game were not enough to help the Hoops win the trophy. He did lift the Champions League, however, when he helped Barcelona beat Arsenal three years later. Now a manager in Sweden, Henrik Larsson will always be Celtic's Magnificent Seven.
BOBBY LENNOX
Debut: v Dundee; March 3, 1962 (Scottish League)
Appearances: 571
Goals: 273
A wonderfully talented player who spent almost 20 years with Celtic, Bobby Lennox is the club's second top goalscorer of all-time with 273 goals to his name. He was part of the famous Lisbon Lions and, as well as playing his part in all nine league titles in a row – which included scoring the winning goal in 1966 which secured the first of those nine championships – he also helped Celtic win two further titles in 1977 and 1979. His last winner's medal came in the 1980 Scottish Cup extra-time victory over Rangers, which was his 24th major honour. As well as being a tremendous finisher, Lennox possessed incredible pace – which often led to perfectly legitimate goals being disallowed for offside. He was awarded a join testimonial with his team-mate and friend, Jimmy Johnstone, in 1974, when fans paid tribute to two great Celts. A Celtic man, through and through, Bobby Lennox remains a popular figure on matchdays at Celtic Park.
