McNeil and Saturdays game

Over the past 24 hours I’ve seen sides of guys who I’ve come to dislike over the years, instantly change my opinion of them.

I’ve seen guys who I’ve referred to as stone hearted, money grabbing, soup taking b@stards, cry at the loss of a Celtic man.

Charlie Nicholas, Hugh Keevins and Andy Walker. 3 men who I’ve loathed for years and over the past 24 hours I’ve realised just how much Billy McNeill touched their lives and how much of a friend he was to them all. If they’re good enough for Billy then they’re good enough for me. I may still criticise them now and again but all 3 went right up in my estimations yesterday with their stories and tributes.

I honestly don’t think I’ve seen as United a front as the past 24 hours across European football, truly inspiring stuff.

Captain, leader, legend

It brings me on to our game on Saturday in what will now be a highly emotional day. I imagine the GB will have something very fitting planned to honour Billy for the stadium to take part in, the club itself will have their own tributes planned but all in all I expect it to be a highly charged and highly emotional day.

Seen a few tweets last night about the potential for Celtic players all to wear the number 5 on the 25th of May, which is of course a date friendly set in our history. There’s also talk of the club asking to wear the Lisbon Lions strip during the game as a tribute, that would be terrific but I’m not sure how feasible it is.

There’s almost an added significance on us now to get over the line and win this treble as a tribute to our greatest ever captain but the players shouldn’t feel any more pressure, they should be inspired by him.

Only one King Billy

NNH