Celtic to erect statue in honour of Jock Stein

CELTIC have announced that a statue of the club's most successful manager Jock Stein will be erected at Parkhead.

• John Reid is pictured with Jimmy Johnstone's widow Agnes Johnstone at the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the winger in 2008

Jimmy Johnstone's widow Agnes Johnstone joins scores of Celtic supporters to admire the statue of the winger created by sculptor Kate Robinson, as it was unveiled at Parkhead, Glasgow

Club chairman John Reid said the decision was made to mark the 25th anniversary since his death.

The club said Stein's statue would be positioned beside those dedicated to club founder Brother Walfrid and players Jimmy Johnstone and Tommy Burns.

In 1967 Stein became the first manager of a British side to win the European Cup when Celtic beat Inter Milan in Lisbon.

He enjoyed a glittering domestic career, winning 10 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 becoming the boss of Scotland from 1978 until his death in 1985, when he suffered a heart attack at the end of the 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 – the first British Club to win the European Cup, nine titles in a row, 15 domestic cup wins and success at international level – a remarkable achievement and one which clearly is most deserving of high honour.

"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."

Lisbon Lions captain and Celtic ambassador, Billy McNeill, said the tribute was a fitting tribute.

"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.

"Every Celtic supporter holds Jock Stein in equally high esteem and I know they will be delighted that he is to be remembered in this way."