Celtic to put up statue of Jock Stein 25 years after death

CELTIC are to erect a statue in memory of their legendary manager Jock Stein, the club have announced.

In 1967 Stein became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup when Celtic beat Inter Milan in Lisbon. And he enjoyed a glittering domestic career, winning ten Scottish League Championships, nine Scottish Cups (one with Dunfermline) and six Scottish League cups.

Although Stein is synonymous with Celtic, he also managed Dunfermline, Hibernian and briefly Leeds United, before taking charge of Scotland from 1978 until his death in 1985, when he suffered a heart attack at the end of a World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff.

Celtic chairman John Reid said: "2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Jock's passing – in this year there will be great sadness as we remember the tragic events in Cardiff, however we felt it important that we also mark this year with this important announcement.

"Jock will forever be truly remembered as one of the world's football greats. He was a man of immense stature and someone who gave so much to Scottish football.

"As the Lisbon Lions will testify, Jock Stein was instrumental in their success, he was the man who instilled their drive and belief, he was the man who carried them to victory on that famous night in Lisbon.

"Already Jock's great name graces the famous 'Celtic End' at Celtic Park – the board of directors felt it was important that Jock now took his rightful place at the gates of Celtic Park.

"What a fine quartet of men will now adorn the steps of Paradise – the club's founder, Brother Walfrid, Jimmy Johnstone the man voted Celtic's greatest-ever player, the wonderful Tommy Burns and now, the magnificent Jock Stein."

Lisbon Lions captain and Celtic ambassador, Billy McNeill, added: "Jock Stein is a true great within the world of football and it is magnificent that he is to be honoured in this way at the club he loved so much.

"He was one of the finest men and the greatest manager I ever worked with. He made us what we were as a team and he was the major factor in the club's success during his reign as manager – without him, none of it would have been possible."