Billy McNeill present as a statue in his honour is unveiled at Celtic Park

Billy McNeill, one of the most iconic figures in Celtic’s glittering history, was present as a statue in his honour was unveiled outside the club’s stadium on Saturday.

The 75-year-old former captain and manager of the Hoops became the first Briton to lift the European Cup after a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in Lisbon in 1967.

McNeill also led Celtic to nine successive league triumphs and won seven Scottish Cups as well as six League Cups, before having two spells as boss when he delivered eight more trophies, including four Premier League titles.

Current Hoops manager Ronny Deila, his staff and squad formed a guard of honour for the former central defender and Lisbon Lions team mates John Clark, Jim Craig, Bobby Lennox and Stevie Chalmers to walk down Celtic Way before the ceremony which was watched by several thousand fans.

Another Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld, described the former Scotland defender as "an amazing man, a great captain and a great player - throughout his career he has been Celtic through and through and a great ambassador for the club" before leading supporters in an impromptu version of the 'Celtic Song'.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said McNeill, "encapsulates everything that is great about this football club" while Craig said of his former team mate, "it was a privilege to play beside you."

McNeill was also joined by his wife Liz, family and extended family and he helped his grandchildren with the unveiling which took place before the Scottish Premiership game against Motherwell.