The last game for the Lisbon Lions…53 years ago today Celtic faced Clyde in a league match at Celtic Park. The stadium resembled a building site due to the revamp of a new main stand being constructed on the front enclosure which was just a pile of rubble.
The old enclosure wasn’t the only thing that was about to be confined to history, but the line up that Jock Stein picked for this game of Simpson, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld and Lennox was the last ever time this famous side played together.
They were of course Celtic’s greatest ever side, the legendary Lisbon Lions.
1st May 1971, Celtic 6:1 Clyde.
The Lisbon Lions line up together for the final ever time.
Ronnie Simpson injured but leads the team out and subbed at kickoff.
Bobby Lennox hattrick, Willie Wallace double and Stevie Chalmers. Bertie Aulds last game for Celtic. pic.twitter.com/bFLSKmJCow
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) April 30, 2024
Ronnie Simpson was unfortunately injured but got stripped and ready and led the side out before being replaced by Evan Williams at kick off. It was an emotional day indeed, and for the huge crowd inside Paradise it would have been a very tearful but proud day to be part of a massive piece of Celtic history.
The game itself ended in a comfortable 6-1 victory for the Hoops, as the legendary side turned on the style for one last time on a day we also cerebrated winning the title. The sixth in succession. A hat trick by Bobby Lennox, a double from Willie Wallace, and a solitary strike from Stevie Chalmers made sure the Lions bowed out in some style. And it was a farewell for Bertie Auld as he said his goodbyes to a remarkable playing career at Celtic.
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Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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I was at the game and remember feeling a bit annoyed with Mr. Stein about Bertie’s departure. He was not retiring from the game and was only 30 years of age. His midfield general role, at which he was peerless in my view, was not about lung bursting runs or lightning pace, but brilliant reading of the game and positional sense. Bertie in effect was Mr. stein on the park. Although we would go on to win 3 more championships in our first 9-in-a-row, we were never as good again.