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| Billy McNeill.; Club Ambassador? | |
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| Topic Started: 21 Sep 2006, 03:14 PM (642 Views) | |
| Otis | 21 Sep 2006, 03:14 PM Post #1 |
What were we thinking? Well it was the 80s, after all.
  ![]](http://209.85.122.87/static/1/pip_r.png)
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Who knows if Cesar would entertain the notion, but surely a club of our stature needs someone like him to officially represent Celtic FC/PLC at various events. He has already stood up and did the eulogy at Jinky’s internment, with ease and assurance. As others suggested, MacNeill should have been the official representative at Franchetti’s recent funeral. At Champion’s League draws etc, Peter Lawell is there in an administrative capacity, but McNeill is well known, respected and admired in the footballing community, a football man, a world class defender, and everything that Celtic embodies. He really should have been the one to unveil the Walfrid statue, Quinn as Chairman certainly was there in that capacity, but McNeill does not have to explain to us every ten seconds why he is a Celtic supporter the way Quinn does,. We know Cesar, we know his history, we share the same passion. McNeill was the first non-“Latin” player to lift the European Cup, in a game that effectively ended the rule of the “cattanecho” and paved the way for “total football”. After all, on a personal level, has anyone here experienced the great man up close and personal? There is no brush off for the fans, there is no condensing, Billy is a true Celt. I was watching him on ‘Tic TV prior to the Manure game, and his comments were not of a man bitter at his Celtic exit, but enthusiastic about the forthcoming game, and revelling in the atmosphere of a big European tie. The type of game he revealed that he loved to be playing in. He never seems to bad-mouth players or managers, he knows the pressure they are under without some ex-manager weighing with quotes that the Laptop-Loyal will twist into a ready-made anti-Celtic swipe. Without over using that word, McNeill indeed has dignity, but is also literate, oozes class, is personable, knowledgeable, and has no all consuming vices some of his peers have/had. Other clubs already do this, and of course I am thinking of Bobby Charlton at Manure, and Eusabio at Benfica. Of course, he (I assume) does not need a salary, nor might even balk at the idea of being the aged retainer, wheeled out for self-congratulatory functions, but surely Celtic PLC can do nothing but benefit by putting him on the payroll, give him a proper function, even title; Director of something or other…. Billy MacNeill is a living legend, and an asset, let’s make good use of him. My favourite McNeill story was when he was asked to comment on Souness’s (then Huns manager) bleating on that being an Old Firm Manager he could never enjoy a quiet meal in a restaurant in Glasgow with his wife. McNeill replied that he had heard that comment, a waiter had told him whilst he was having a quiet meal in a restaurant in Glasgow with his wife. |
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| mikeybhoy77 | 21 Sep 2006, 03:15 PM Post #2 |
Everyone's Fantasy Football first pick
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| Lubo25 | 21 Sep 2006, 03:15 PM Post #3 |
Getting on a bit
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if he does become the club ambassador, i'm sure they'll make sure his name is spelt correctly
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| mikebhoy | 21 Sep 2006, 03:16 PM Post #4 |
Discolite
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Completely agree - the big man oozes class and would be ideal for the role. Other clubs seem to cherish their heroes as figureheads - Charlton, Eusebio, Beckenbauer et al, we seem content to ask them to stick on a green blazer and go glad-handing the executive lounges before the game. |
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| Otis | 21 Sep 2006, 03:17 PM Post #5 |
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What were we thinking? Well it was the 80s, after all.
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Oh shuttit, I'm just back from the pub.... |
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| Westbelfast_Tim | 21 Sep 2006, 03:17 PM Post #6 |
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Club Captain
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I totally agree! |
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| Lubo25 | 21 Sep 2006, 03:17 PM Post #7 |
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Getting on a bit
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just joshing old boy - it's a splendid idea and one i'm sure big billy would be well up for |
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| bleward | 21 Sep 2006, 03:20 PM Post #8 |
"Have you seen my baseball?"
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Brought this up months ago after finishing his book hail cesar. Having met the man and had a few drinks with him he has the time of day for anyone who shares the passion of the green and white hoops. I think he really should be given a place as "club ambassador" and should represent the club at events such as the CL draw, Cup draws etc. I cannot believe we did not send a representitive to Franchettis funeral and Mc Neill would have fitted the bill for that perfetcly. The next word is over used but the man is the original Legend  i await the "uncle tim" though  |
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| cuibono | 21 Sep 2006, 03:21 PM Post #9 |
So Far Up The Equality Tree
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president of the club....an honourary role obviously he'd do all the unveillings and ceremonies etc, also would keep him from the back pages where he often refuses to 'toe the line' |
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| Tam Ball | 21 Sep 2006, 03:21 PM Post #10 |
Occasional Substitute
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I would love Cesar to be the club's , well, mascot if you will. Get him to represent our club at European events, seat in the director's box. We should have given this club legend a title, Director of Football or something. |
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| huddler | 21 Sep 2006, 03:22 PM Post #11 |
Patenting the term "Thunderbeams"
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Yip. Who can say a bad word against Cesar. Plus in years to come we can have Henrik do it too! the both of you.
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| bleward | 21 Sep 2006, 03:28 PM Post #12 |
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"Have you seen my baseball?"
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here is my thread started on the 24 jan 2006 Ceasr 
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| stevie21 | 21 Sep 2006, 03:45 PM Post #13 |
Poster of the Tuesday afternoon!
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If I'd have thought of this, I'd have posted it on the 1st Oct...  
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| Owenybhoy | 21 Sep 2006, 03:56 PM Post #14 |
Go Big Or Go Home - *Suckin' Rabbits Out Of Hedges*
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Why do we need a club ambassador ? No problem with Caeser getting the gig, but can't think of a reason to have one really. |
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| steviefrombelfast | 21 Sep 2006, 08:40 PM Post #15 |
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First-team captain
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I think the problem would be they would want someone to toe the line and help sell some of the spin that unfortunately we get out of Celtic Park these days - and I think Big Billy might just be too honest and independently minded for that. |
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| Mahe | 21 Sep 2006, 08:57 PM Post #16 |
First-team starter
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Add this to the fact that that they should have asked him years ago - and I mean years ago ...................... 
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| Mick_Jagger | 21 Sep 2006, 09:50 PM Post #17 |
The greatest ever midfielder to wear the Hoops
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Billys parents had a boozer in Bellshill our bus at the time Edinburgh &District used to stop there before every game.when we won the Scottish Cup in 1965,Billy McNeill laid on free drinks all night.
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| Tiger Whoods | 21 Sep 2006, 10:00 PM Post #18 |
Golfing Genius No More
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used to frequent his boozer especially during the hampden season, the guy is class CELTIC CLASS
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| lubomirmoravcik | 22 Sep 2006, 12:48 AM Post #19 |
Genius
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This should have been done years ago but I fear it will never happen now :angry: |
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| Neilly67 | 22 Sep 2006, 12:57 AM Post #20 |
Not a good advert for Catholicism...
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Post Of The Year Otis.
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