jock stein to be honoured at celtic park

Newsroom Staff
CELTIC Football Club is delighted today to announce that it is to erect a permanent statue in memory of Jock Stein, one of the most important figures in Scottish football.

Jock Stein, of course, was the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup in 1967 and he enjoyed a glittering domestic career, winning 10 Scottish League Championships, nine Scottish Cups (one with Dunfermline) and six Scottish League cups.

Jock Stein is synonymous with Celtic Football Club, but also managed Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian and, briefly, Leeds United before going on to manage the Scottish national team from 1978 until his tragic death in 1985.   

Celtic Chairman John Reid said: “2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Jock's passing - in this year there will be great sadness as we remember the tragic events in Cardiff, however we felt it important that we also mark this year with this important announcement.

“Jock will forever be truly remembered as one of the world's football greats.  He was a man of immense stature and someone who gave so much to Scottish football.

“As the Lisbon Lions will testify, Jock Stein was instrumental in their success, he was the man who instilled their drive and belief, he was the man who carried them to victory on that famous night in Lisbon - the first British Club to win the European Cup, nine titles in a row, 15 domestic cup wins and success at international level - a remarkable achievement and one which clearly is most deserving of high honour.   

"Already Jock's great name graces the famous 'Celtic End' at Celtic Park and the Board of Directors felt it was important that Jock now took his rightful place at the gates of Celtic Park.

“What a fine quartet of men it is that will now adorn the steps of Paradise - the club's founder, Brother Walfrid, Jimmy Johnstone the man voted Celtic's Greatest Ever Player, the wonderful Tommy Burns and now, the magnificent Jock Stein.” 

The club is also delighted to announce that the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the great Tommy Burns will take place at Celtic Park on March 27, before the club's match against Kilmarnock, another of Tommy's clubs…

And the Jock Stein statue will now be the fourth tribute to a Celtic great at the doors of the stadium.

George Stein, Jock's son said: "I am delighted that Celtic has chosen to commission this statue to commemorate the 25th anniversary of my father's death."

Lisbon Lions captain and Celtic Ambassador Billy McNeill added: “Jock Stein is a true great within the world of football and it is magnificent that he is to be honoured in this way at the club he loved so much.

“He was one of the finest men and the greatest manager I ever worked with.”

"He made us what we were as a team and he was the major factor in the club's success during his reign as manager - without him, none of it would have been possible.

“Every Celtic supporter holds Jock Stein in equally high esteem and I know they will be delighted that he is to be remembered in this way."