Today’s photo of the day shows the coaching staff at Celtic Park in 1967. Jock Stein was of course the leader of that iconic team, and his assistant was Sean Fallon. However, it is often forgotten that Neilly Mochan played a massive part in the team’s success.
Stein said that fitness was the most important aspect of his team achieving greatness. It was Mochan who took the fitness training and often lead from the front in mountain runs, despite being 15 years older than some players. As such, he had a very fundamental role in the club. Moreover, Mochan was nicknamed “Smiler” because of his great sense of humour and he was key to lifting the dressing room.
Stein, Mochan, Fallon, and Rooney were great friends. Together, they made Celtic a great place to be. Stein was the disciplinarian, Rooney the physio, but Fallon and Mochan were like the go between for the players and manager.
A great picture from 1967. Stein was the manager, but Neilly Mochan, Sean Fallon and Bob Rooney were absolutely crucial to the Lisbon Lions’ success. Celtic legends one and all pic.twitter.com/w97UyvWBqP
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) February 26, 2021
Their longevity of service to the club, and the impact they made as players, mean that they are bonified Celtic legends. What a fabulous management team.
