NEIL LENNON was asked what he thought of the idea of retiring the Number 5 shirt at Celtic when he held his first press conference since the passing of Billy. Lenny said something like ‘why not’ but it wasn’t his idea and he simply answered the question that was asked by the journalist.
He might have asked a handful of other ideas and Lenny probably would have been in favour of them too. Why not, indeed.
The McNeill Family have asked for noise and applause tomorrow and not silence, they want us to celebrate Billy’s life and we must try to do that while accepting that there will not be a dry eye in Paradise in what is going be be an intensely emotional occasion.
The family said that is what Billy would want atmosphere, singing and cheering, not silence. And Billy would probably not be that keen on retiring the No 5 shirt.
Jinky got the pleasure of watching another world class performer wear his Number 7 jersey and would have enjoyed every single minute that Henrik Larsson played in the Hoops. Like Jinky, Henrik was a Magnificent Seven and the trick for Celtic – is to continue the fairytale and that means signing or developing more world class Number 7s and Number 5s and the rest too.
As a Celtic manager Billy would have understood this perfectly well – one of his first signings for Celtic was another fine No 7, Davie Provan.
Virgil van Dijk, signed by Neil Lennon, is proof that Celtic even in the modern era can have a world class No 5 and that is what Billy McNeill would want for Celtic and for ever single one of us, as Celtic Supporters.
My own preference is to do something positive that will last as long as Celtic Park stands and that is re-naming the North Stand as The Billy McNeill Stand or even the Hail Cesar Stand.
Celtic already have a Number 5 and he’s been speaking to the press ahead of the match against Kilmarnock. Jozo Simunovic has been taken aback this week by the scale of the tributes, the overwhelming emotion at the Celtic Family’s loss of one so dear to us all.
“The news of his death was a big shock,” Jozo said to the media, as reported in The Scotsman.
“Billy McNeill was such an amazing player for this club and someone who played such a big part in its history. He played so many games here and was such a huge figure so when we heard what had happened it was so sad.
“I will never forget the image of him as the man who lifted the European Cup trophy. He was No 5 so it’s always in my head, that picture. I would say it feels personal for me a little bit because I wear that shirt now. He was such a leader, such a legend and I am the one with his number on my top; it’s nice for me to think about that. It’s an honour and something that makes me feel good, that I have the number of the biggest guy in the club’s history. For me it’s joyful.
“I know there has been talk of the number five being retired at the end of the season and I understand that. I’d be happy to keep wearing it, of course, but it’s not for me to decide and – if the decision is taken by the important people at the club to take it away – then I’ll be happy with that.
“Whatever they decide, I will respect because of Billy. I would be happy to wear another number but while I have it I will wear it with pride.”
Jozo has also been impressed at the number of goals that he has now seen on You Tube and Celtic TV that Billy scored for the club, important goals too, including 3 in Scottish Cup Final wins. It’s made Simunovic determined to add to his two goals for the Hoops, and he hopes to get his third against Kilmarnock.
“Maybe I will get one. I have been thinking about that this week. I’ve seen some footage of the teams he played in and the happiness and the pride they had is something else.
“If I can score against Kilmarnock then I will dedicate the goal to Billy McNeill, definitely. I will go up for every corner thinking this might be the moment. That’s how I need to go.”
Simunovic knew that Cesar was such an iconic figure at Celtic but even with that knowledge he’s still been amazed at the reaction that Billy’s passing has caused all over the world.
“It has made such a big impression on myself that he managed to touch so many people around the world – he touched every single Celtic fan, every person who works in the club and even other clubs in other countries.
“That was surprising to me at first but, when I sat down and checked what he did for Celtic over the years, I realised what a big part he has played in the club’s history so the reaction is to be expected.
“I met him once, just shaking hands in passing. I was taken aback because I knew who he was so it was a big pleasure for me to meet him in person.”
