Celtic honour Iconic European Cup-winning captain Billy McNeill with statue

Jock Stein's side created history in Libson when they defeat Italian champions Internazionale 2-1 after falling behind, and McNeill will join Stein and fellow team-mate Jimmy Johnstone and founder Brother Walfrid in being immortalised with statues at the 60,000-capacity ground in Glasgow's East End.

McNeill has already been voted the club's greatest captain after a glittering career in which he won nine Scottish league titles, seven Scottish Cups, six League Cups and 29 Scotland caps, but the highlight was the European Cup victory.

McNeill had two spells as Celtic manager, winning four league title and the Scottish League and Cup in the club's centenary season in 1987/88. The statue will be unveiled before the Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell on December 19.

"Billy McNeill is all that’s great about Celtic," said Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell.

"He stands for everything that Celtic stands for and he’s a leader. He has the right values in terms of family, respect, humility - a magnificent man on and off the park and this statue is a fitting tribute to him as one of Celtic’s all-time greats.”