MORE THAN 90 MINUTES editor Andre Milne pays his own tribute to Ten Thirty who yesterday celebrated his 80th Birthday with his feature BERTIE…The Great Story Teller…
A true Celtic Legend Bertie Auld celebrated his 80th Birthday yesterday. The multi medal winner who played such a major part in the success of the Lisbon Lions.
I am lucky that Bertie sits behind me on match days in the main stand at Celtic Park. I get to chat to him and get his opinion on all things Celtic.
He is passionate about Celtic, kicks every ball and is not afraid to voice his opinion about players he thinks are not up to the job.
He’s always smiling and greets every Celtic fan in the same warm way. He is a true ambassador for the club. He celebrates every goal like it’s the first he has seen.
He boasts to those in his company about the atmosphere created in the stadium by the Green Brigade and he is so proud when the phone lights come onto to accompany the chorus of “In the heat of Lisbon” on the 67th minute.
I think I first met Bertie at one of the early NAFCSC Las Vegas conventions and before I relocated from the Jock Stein stand to the Main Stand I would bump into him at various supporters functions. He always made time to chat, pose for a picture or sign an autograph
A highlight for me was when he came over to Drogheda along with John Fallon and Tosh McKinlay for my own supporters club 15th anniversary dinner. The Bhoys arrived to the hotel in the afternoon and after some press interviews they joined the guests in the bar sharing memories about days gone by. Some of Bertie’s stories were delivered with comic genius.
That night at the St. Margaret’s function it was an honour to have dinner with Bertie and you could hear a pen drop when he spoke after the meal reliving more memories from his amazingly successful career during Celtic’s most dominate and successful period.
The next day in the bar before they were driven back to the airport, Bertie was once again holding court in the hotel bar. This time he was using salt and pepper shakers to show us the system Celtic should be playing.
An amazing weekend in legendary company. I am sure Bertie had a great day celebrating his birthday and I look forward to the next game at Celtic Park when I will hear more stories from Bertie’s back catalogue.
Andrew Milne
More than 90 Minutes Editor
