Billy McNeill funeral: Sir Alex Ferguson among mourners for Celtic legend
Billy McNeill was a Celtic captain, who led the team to the European Cup trophy in 1967, and managed the team from 1978 to 1983.
Friday 3 May 2019 13:54, UK
Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish are among mourners paying their respects at the funeral of former Celtic captain and manager Billy McNeill.
The ceremony is held at a church in Glasgow city centre, before the funeral procession makes its way to Celtic Park, where it is thought thousands of fans will pay tribute to the former Celtic player.
Roads in the city centre have been closed so that supporters are able to line the streets as the coffin makes its way through Glasgow.
One of the first to arrive at Celtic Park was former Rangers player and Manchester United manager Sir Alex.
Also attending were ex-Rangers managers John Grieg and Walter Smith and former Celtic players Tom Boyd, Frank McGarvey and Frank McAvennie.
Buses have been provided for mourners from the ground to take them to the church where the funeral is taking place.
Other former Celtic managers, such as Gordon Strachan and Dalglish, also arrived at Celtic's ground to make their way to the church.
McNeill, who won 31 trophies as player and manager for Celtic, died last week aged 79. He had suffered from dementia in recent years.
Addressing the congregation at St Aloysius' Church, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia shared his memories of watching McNeill from the terraces at Celtic Park in 1965 during a Scottish Cup final game against Dunfermline.
"As a 16-year-old boy, I watched with overflowing joy as Billy and his Lions lifted the European Cup," he said.
"Never for a moment did I imagine that I would be conducting his funeral mass."
Martyn, McNeill's son, said his parents were the "original Posh and Becks", referencing his mother's job as a dancer on TV adding: "After 55 years of marriage, I'm glad to say there's been no Strictly curse."
Friend of McNeill Archie MacPherson also spoke at the funeral, saying: "In the sometimes hateful atmosphere of Old Firm games Billy was never demonised as so many players can be in that.
"Somehow he seemed to be able to rise above the unfortunate quasi-religious hate-fest that too often it turned into. Why? Because of his appearance, his stature, because of the way he played - athletic, hard but fair.
"And I never saw any gratuitous implosion that felt he was a superior person to the other lot. In that sense he was different."