Broony’s Back: “Fitting to be able to honour Bertie with another great,” Calmac

Callum McGregor reckon that it’s fitting that Aberdeen are the visitors today to Celtic Park as it allows one Celtic legend – the current Aberdeen captain Scott Brown – to be back in Paradise to pay his respects to another Celtic legend, Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld as around 60,000 Celtic Supporters join the current and former Celtic captain in leading the tribute for Bertie ahead of the 3pm kick-off.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

It will be strange seeing Broony in an Aberdeen shirt at Celtic Park. I was up at Pittodrie for the game last month and Celtic only got the late winner after Broony was substituted suffering from a bit of cramp. Today Aberdeen have various injures and suspensions to contend with which could men that Broony could end up playing as a central defender.

McGregor is clearly looking forward to the match and to welcoming Scott Brown back to Paradise. “It will be a big occasion for Scott and it will be good to see him. But the same time, we have to look at the game itself because we need three points,” the skipper told the media, as reported by Scottish Sun. “That means trying to take the emotion out of it to focus on what we need to do. Once the game is over we will have a chat, but for the 90 minutes both of us will be doing everything we can to win.

. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

“We want to show our appreciation for Bertie and what he did for the club. It will be a great tribute. We were at the funeral and it is a real emotional time for the club.

“One of our legends has passed away and the club has come up with a very fitting tribute, as it always does, to remember Bertie. We will be trying to create a special atmosphere for him on Sunday and then we need to try and match that with the result as well.

“Scott is also a real legend for the club as well so it is certainly fitting to be able to honour Bertie with another great. The game has come at a good time.”

McGregor was happy to talk about just how much assistance he’s been given by his predecessor as Celtic captain. “Scott was brilliant for me when I was coming through in terms of always giving me any help he could. Over the last few years we got really close and he was always helping me so it wasn’t a case of sitting down and having chats.

Photo: Andrew Milligan

“He was such a great leader. There were always bits where I would try and learn off what he would do in any given situation. He was always such a presence in the changing room. He took responsibility for the players and just kind of let everyone else go and play.

“I think that is important, that the guys feel they have got a go to. That was something he was very good at, being that focal point in the dressing room.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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