It was announced this week that Jim is to be immortalised in Govan, the area of Glasgow where he was born, with a statue due to be unveiled next year outside St Anthony’s RC Church, just a stone’s throw away from where the Celtic legend went to school.

The launch event for the statue project took place in Glasgow City Centre on Wednesday, as the Jim Craig Govan Foundation highlighted their aims and the significance of the project. Jim Craig and his wife Elisabeth were also in attendance, and the Lisbon Lion reflected on the honour of being immortalised with a statue.

“I’ve been very fortunate to go through my life as a Lisbon Lion,” Jim Craig said. “I’ve been treated very well wherever I go.

“It’s been a privilege to be feted like that, so to hear that there was a statue being done has been the icing on the cake.”

Jim Craig Govan Foundation committee member, Matt McGlone, told the media: “We want to revere our heroes and there are none greater than the Lisbon Lions. We’re very lucky that we still have three of them with us.

“For the Lisbon Lions, it would be great if we could have a statue in each of their home towns. These guys achieved something that will never be repeated.

'These players are such a part of Celtic’s history, so we should immortalise them. That’s the drive.'

The task of designing and delivering the statue has been given to renowned sculptor John McKenna, whose incredible body of work includes the statues of Jock Stein and Billy McNeill which proudly stand outside the main stand at Celtic Park.

Asked about the unique responsibility of creating a likeness of one of Celtic’s most revered players, McKenna said: “For these guys to come and single me out for this really makes me feel good as an artist

“They’ve searched me out, it’s a competitive process and they’ve identified me as someone they want to create their artwork for them. It’s an honour for me to be asked to do this.”

Further information on the Jim Craig statue project can be found at jimcraiggovanfoundation.co.uk

Official Celtic FC Podcast: Jim Craig to be honoured with a statue in Govan