Callum McGregor paid tribute to legendary Celt John Clark

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor paid tribute to legendary Hoops icon John Clark following the sad news of Luggy’s passing last week…

John Clark
John Clark at training with Jock Stein watching on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

During his tenure at Celtic Park, Clark secured an impressive haul of trophies, winning six league championships, three Scottish Cups, five League Cups, and the prestigious European Cup in 1967.

Clark was one of just two players, alongside Tommy Gemmell, to appear in every one of Celtic’s remarkable 59 matches during their historic 1966/67 quintuple-winning season, which ended with their triumph over Inter Milan in the European Cup final in Lisbon.

John Clark in Lisbon
John Clark in Lisbon during the 1967 European Cup Final, Celtic 2 Inter Milan 1. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Spanning more than 45 years at Celtic, Clark contributed as a player, coach, and kit man, serving as the club’s kit man for over two decades from 1997, ultimately becoming the second-longest serving member in the club’s history after Willie Maley.

Now, speaking to Celtic TV, CalMac was full of praise for the club legend: “A hugely significant figure in the club’s history, hugely significant person as well. Everybody who met him and came across him will tell you how humble and nice a man he was,” he said.

Lisbon Lions
1967 European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan. The Celtic team line up, before defeating Inter Milan to win the European Cup. Back Row Left to Right: Jim Craig; Tommy Gemmell; Ronnie Simpson; Billy McNeill; Bobby Murdoch; and John Clark. In front, left to right: Stevie Chalmers; Willie Wallace, Jimmy Johnstone; Bobby Lennox; and Bertie Auld. 25 May 1967. Portugal Photo: Top Foto

“Especially when I was young coming through the academy he was someone you looked at, you saw him pretty much everywhere you went, he was always here, he dedicated his life to Celtic.”

“And it’s only right that we remember him in the best possible way. My condolences, my sympathy go to his family as well because it will be a tough period for them.”

McGregor added: “I just want them to know that everybody at Celtic, all the players, all the staff, are thinking of them as well. John was an amazing person and someone who was really important for the young guys like myself coming through.”

Scott Brown with Lisbon Lion John Clark
Scottish Youth Cup Final. 2015. Celtic versus theRangers. Scott Brown with Lisbon Lion John Clark. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“You saw him, you knew how important he was, he always took the time to stop and speak to you and make you feel part of the club. That was the real special thing about John was even long after he stopped playing, he was such an important and special figure for the club.”

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About Author

A current fourth year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

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