59 years ago today was the start of a wonderful revolution in Scottish football…
59 years ago today seen a new man placed with the task of managing Celtic football club. That man was replacing a club legend in Jimmy McGrory. While one legend was departing, one was just getting started, and his name was of course Jock Stein.
Jock of course was a former player, and had made his name in management with Dunfermline and Hibs. Big things were expected of him, but I don’t think anyone expected him to make the impact he did in such a short period of time.
He brought Scottish cup success after just one month in charge. While his first full campaign in the dugout seen us crowned Champions for the first time in eleven years with a League Cup thrown in for good measure.
But it was the following season that would secure Jocks place as a legendary figure in Celtic folklore. We of course won the big cup in Lisbon beating Inter Milan to become the first British and non Latin side to do so. All with a squad of players born within a thirty mile radius of each other. It was the stuff of dreams.
Yet it was our reality and all down to Jock Stein. Not only did we win the big cup but we also won the domestic treble with a Glasgow cup thrown in for good measure. Five trophies in one season, it is unsurpassed.
Jock led us to a total of 25 major honours in his 13 year reign at the club. A record nine successive league titles, two trebles and of course the big cup itself. He is undoubtedly the best manager in our clubs illustrates history and is and always will be a legendary figure at the club. God bless you Jock. We will all be forever grateful.
David Potter’s wonderful book, The Celtic Rising covers Jock’s first season back at Celtic brilliantly. If you are lucky enough to own a copy of this sold out book then please cherish it. If not you can also read in via Kindle.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
