Bertie Auld made history as part of Jock Stein's side who became the first British club to win the European Cup with victory over Inter Milan in 1967; "He was a giant of a player, a giant of a man and quite simply Mr. Celtic," said Celtic chairman Ian Bankier
Monday 15 November 2021 17:36, UK
Bertie Auld, one of Celtic's European Cup heroes, has died aged 83.
Auld, who was diagnosed with dementia in June, made history as part of Jock Stein's side as they became the first British club to win the European Cup with victory over Inter Milan in 1967.
The midfielder scored 85 goals in 283 appearances over two spells for Celtic.
A club statement read: "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."
As well as the Hoops' Lisbon triumph, Auld won five league titles, four League Cups and three Scottish Cups for Celtic.
"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," said Celtic chairman Ian Bankier.
"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."
The last time I saw Bertie Auld was pre-pandemic, we hadn't seen each other for a while and I bumped into him at a car showroom of all places.
He quickly gave me that wide grin of his and asked how I was doing. When I told him I wasn't long back from visiting my daughter in New York, he took me aside and whispered that he had an offer to go to New York for a short time back in the day.
I replied, "I didn't know that Bertie, what happened?", to which he said "Andy the money wasn't right, it was two weeks as a stand-up on Broadway and I've got too many commitments making people happy here!"
We both roared with laughter and Bertie was immediately into his usual routine, making you smile and putting you at ease.
I have no doubt he could have handled a stint on Broadway, telling his wonderful stories to a big audience and making people laugh and smile. He was blessed with the amazing gift of doing that on and off the park.
As a player in the greatest ever Celtic team that led the way at home and in Europe, he had a story to tell about everyone and I don't know anyone who didn't enjoy his company.
My dad saw a lot of the Lions in their heyday and loved Bertie's arrogance and confidence on the park as well as his humility off it.
I always enjoyed his company because he was genuinely interested in what you thought. He always wanted your take on the team, who was playing well, who wasn't, who could be better and how the manager of the day was coping.
I would tell him about some of the games I had covered elsewhere for Sky and when discussing players he would say "in the hoops Andy, he would be great for us".
Funnily enough, I learned yesterday whilst in NYC visiting my daughter that he had passed away, another victim of dementia.
Like my old manager Billy McNeil, his last days were so difficult for his family but what a mark he left on Scottish football. I walked along to St Patrick's on Fifth Avenue on Sunday and lit a candle in his memory.
His gift of course was giving so many Celtic supporters unforgettable memories.
Requiescat in pace Bertie.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou paid tribute to Auld, describing him as one of the "true Celtic greats", while captain Callum McGregor said the club will remember him with "love and affection".
Postecoglou said: "With Bertie's passing a family and a club has lost a true legend and a great man. All our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go sincerely to Bertie's family for their tremendous loss of someone so dear to them.
"I know Bertie was one of the true Celtic greats, leaving his mark indelibly on the club and our supporters by reaching the very summit of footballing achievement, but also through his unique personality.
"Big, special football clubs are built on major figures like Bertie and we should all forever be grateful to him for all he achieved and all he was. I know his spirit will flow through Celtic forever."
McGregor added: "On behalf of all the players at the club, I send our thoughts and prayers to Bertie's family. I know they will miss him terribly.
"I will always feel really lucky to have known Bertie. Coming through the ranks at Celtic, it is people like Bertie you look up to and not only for his achievements on the pitch but just for the way he was.
"It was so humbling to be in his company, to know what he had achieved for Celtic, but also just to spend time with a brilliant man and a proper legend.
"He just always had huge drive, passion and energy and a tremendous love for the club. He loved the fun that football could bring to people and he had that infectious warmth and spirit which gave so much to anyone that met him.
"We will remember Bertie with such love and affection, we are privileged to have known him and today we are all thinking of Bertie's family."
Auld, who won three Scotland caps, also played for Dumbarton, Birmingham City - where he won a League Cup in 1963 - and ended his playing career at Hibernian before moving into management.
He managed Partick Thistle in two spells, along with Hibernian, Hamilton and Dumbarton.
"Bertie was one of footballs greatest ever characters and the life and soul of every event he attended," added Celtic.
