The Celtic support are collectively devastated by the news of Bertie Auld’s passing this evening. Seldom has the death of someone outside of personal friendships or family members impacted so many, but Bertie’s departure from this world really does feel as if a close companion has left us.
A Lisbon Lion, it goes without saying that Auld is a Celtic legend. In two spells with the club, he won six League titles, five League Cups, four Scottish Cups, two Glasgow Cups, a European Cup and the Quintuple. Whilst most fans will thus be able to appreciate that he was a special talent, for those, like myself, who are too young to have seen him play – I’d urge you to watch a full replay of the 1967 European Cup Final. Bertie Auld completely ran the show. (He can be seen hitting the crossbar at 13mins 10secs of the below video.)
Truly one of the best midfielders in world football, I once heard Bertie described as someone with the comparable talent of Xavi, but with the fiery leadership and tenacity of Roy Keane. It is important that his role in our most successful and all conquering period in history is never overlooked.
Goals in the crucial 1965 Scottish Cup Final which heralded the Stein era of domination, star performances in the 1967 European Cup triumph and again in the fabulous run to the 1970 European Cup Final; he was befitting of the song we sing at Paradise:
And they gave us James McGrory and Paul McStay
They gave us Johnstone, Tully, Murdoch, Auld and Hay
Most of the football greats have passed through Parkhead’s gates
To play football the Glasgow Celtic way
However, for all his talents on the park, Bertie is as famous for his charisma off it. If a cross between Xavi and Keane was a way of describing the manner in which he patrolled the midfield next to Murdoch, then something similar to Billy Connolly would be a way of explaining his warmth, humour and gallus demeanour in wider life. In fact, the Big Yin once admitted that Bertie was the funnier of the pair!
So true, Liam. Remember Billy Connolly gladly admitting Bertie had been the funnier of the two when they appeared together on the pre-Seville Celtic TV show. Told me Bertie could easily have made it as a stand-up (will surprise no-one who met him, I know).
— Stephen Sullivan (@SullivanSK) November 14, 2021
Bertie was hilarious. He lit up many a room and innumerable conversations with his patter. We’ve all heard the stories… the banter he had with John Greig, Tiny Wharton and many others.
Media presenters also felt the wrath of his jokes. Famously, Auld was on Off the Ball with Tam Cowan (a Radio Scotland offbeat football show) and he said to Cowan: “Did you know one of the Lisbon Lions was gay?” Cowan got excited and thought he was onto a story, only for Bertie to say to him: “Give us a kiss and I’ll tell you who it was.”
Bertie Auld…comedy gold 😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣🍀💚🏆🦁 pic.twitter.com/I58DPECXhV
— WE EARNED OUR NINE IN A ROW ⭐️🏆🇮🇪1967 (@JGlasgowCelticK) April 4, 2020
In addition to his footballing ability and sharp sense of humour, Auld was a kind man who never let fame get to his head. He had a trademark warm smile throughout his days and always had time for the fans. He really loved Celtic supporters as much as they loved him.
In a personal encounter, I once asked Bertie if he minded posing for a photo with me. He said: “Your grandfathers had time for us, so I have time for you. It’s an honour to meet Celtic supporters. You are Celtic!” He looked me in the eye and spoke so sternly as if to suggest that I was crazy to ask if he minded stopping for a moment, yet he was smiling throughout.
My brief meeting with the person I believe to be the greatest ever Celtic man was far from unique. A quick scan of social media reveals that thousands of supporters have pictures and stories with him. Among my friends, they recall Bertie having them in tears of laughter throughout an away game in Benfica, another photo opportunity when he jokingly accused them of dipping his pockets, and a chance meeting in a bar when the great man spotted a Glasgow couple’s Celtic attire and duly spent the evening drinking and chatting with them. There will be countless tales like that.
That was Bertie Auld. A tremendous footballer, a funny man, a down to earth individual, who loved Celtic and always genuinely loved the supporters. He worked behind the bar in Baird’s Bar after his career in football ended, and could be found at Celtic games giving it laldy with the faithful. Quite simply, there will never be another person like him at Paradise.
Forever one of the best videos I’ve seen pic.twitter.com/zBkaNn99W8
— Keir (@FenianGambino) November 14, 2021
May he rest in peace.
Wee Bertie what a man he entertained us on and off the park and his passing is a sad loss to all in the Celtic family. I grew up watching the Lisbon Lions and their immortality was cemented in history on that fateful day 25th May 1967 where they annihilated Inter Milan 2-1. It’s no exaggeration to say the score flattered Inter, this should’ve been a rout if Celtic would’ve 10 that day Inter couldn’t have complained. The only shot they had on target in fact in the game was the penalty they got. Celtic’s style of wave after wave of attacking football was too much for the Italian’s stuffy cattenaccio defensive system. It would’ve been a travesty had Celtic not won that game but as we all know there’s something about Celtic a specialness, big Cesar called it ‘a fairytale’ around the club and you can’t find a better description than that. Wee Bertie was needed in Heaven by God and those of us who support the club can’t deny him his rightful place at his side. God bless Bertie, Requiescat in Pace my friend, ynwa.