Big Jock

[keltic_bhoy]

Jock Stein tributes planned
Newsroom Staff

NEXT Saturday, September 10, marks the twentieth anniversary of Jock Stein’s death. The legendary Celtic manager, who was boss of Scotland at the time, tragically died after suffering a heart attack during a World Cup qualifying match against Wales in Cardiff.

And to mark the anniversary of his death, Celtic have planned a number of events at the game against Aberdeen.

The club has been in discussion with the Celtic Supporters’ Association, and a special banner will be displayed by fans before the game. A number of the Lisbon Lions will also be in attendance at the game.

The matchday programme will have a special section on Jock Stein, including a poster of the great man with his European Cup winning side.

Photographer Hugh Birt has kindly allowed the programme to reproduce his wonderful picture of the greatest team in the history of the club.

And a special tribute film on Jock Stein will also be shown on the big screens. It celebrates the achievements of the Celtic boss, whose side won nine league titles in a row as well as scaling the heights of Europe, and the film is something not to be missed.

www.celticfc.net

A MINUTE'S NOISE FOR LEGEND JOCK
Celtic fans to applaud Big Man
By Robert Mcaulay

CELTIC fans are being asked to forgo the traditional minute's silence to mark the 20th anniversary of Jock Stein's death on Saturday. Instead, 60,000 supporters will pay tribute to their club's greatest manager with a "minute's noise" - by applauding for 60 seconds. The move is seen as a marked departure from the traditional silent show of respect by fans - which is often spoiled by noisy yobs. Elsewhere in Europe, fans use applause not only to show appreciation but also to mark more sombre occasions. Celtic fans and club bosses yesterday welcomed the applause plan as the perfect way to honour the memory of Stein, who died at Wales' Ninian Park, Cardiff, on September 10, 1985.

A club spokesman said: "To mark the anniversary, Celtic have planned a number of events at Saturday's game against Aberdeen. The club has been in discussion with the supporters' association and a special banner will also be displayed by fans before the game. The idea of a minute's applause instead of silence was also discussed and it was agreed it was the best way for everyone to show their respect. A number of the Lisbon Lions will also be at the game and the matchday programme will have a special section on Jock Stein."

Celtic season-ticket holder Dave McGivern, 33, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, welcomed the move. He said: "The idea of a minute's applause is perfect for remembering Jock Stein's contribution to the club. He is the most important figure in the club and this unique way of paying tribute to him will be welcomed by all fans. The club and the supporter's association should be congratulated for coming up with this."

Stein, revered as the Big Man, died of a heart attack just minutes after seeing Scotland clinch a crucial draw against Wales. He collapsed in the tunnel following Davie Cooper's last-gasp penalty-kick equaliser. He became the manager of the national team after more than 13 trophy-laden years at Celtic. Sadly, Stein's star player from his days in the Parkhead hot-seat will be unable to attend the tribute. A club source said that Jimmy Johnstone, who has motor neurone disease, is too ill to attend. The source added: "Jimmy's been unable to attend a number of recent events at Celtic Park. I'm sure he would have wanted to be there

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/ne...name_page.html

[Polwarth]

Hard to believe it's twenty years.....

[keltic_bhoy]

I can't believe it myself. I may have only been born a month after he died but even so, I still get emotional when I see images of that game against Wales on the TV. I'll tell you one thing, nothing's going to keep me away from Celtic Park this Saturday.

[Gypsum_Fantastic]

Jock Stein was a curious character. Archie MacPherson's recent biography of the man contained some interesting revelations. What do we make, for example, of someone who goes out of his way to join Celtic, against his father's wishes, and then wonders why his father finds it hard to accept? True, Rangers were the Establishment club back then (I believe this is no longer the case) and there is a certain mentality that enjoys challenging the established way, knocking down giants and asserting a new order. Stein had that mentality, it's true - as did Ferguson at Aberdeen (though Ferguson is now so clinically insane he believes Manchester United are picked on). But Stein had an almost pathological hatred of, and obsession with, Rangers that went way beyond football.

It's even more puzzling that Stein should seek to alienate his family and friends by taking the Celtic job in 1965 when, by his own admission, he'd left the club in the late 1950's because *he perceived* that his religion would be a barrier towards holding high office at Celtic Park. Curious.

Stein was perversely loyal, to a ridiculous degree, to the Celtic board, and in particular to the late Sir Bob Kelly. It was a loyalty that was rarely reciprocated. After his crash in 1975, he spent a year recuperating whilst Sean Fallon managed first team affairs at Celtic. When Stein returned to work, the board asked him to pay back the salary he received whilst he wasn't working. Throughout his time at Celtic he had been courted by other illustrious clubs, such as Man Utd, but rejected them whilst knowing that his own salary at Celtic did not compare with his contemporaries. His departure in 1978 was, regardless of which version you believe, badly handled and ill-befitting of his service and stature.

Yet Stein, docile and a man with feet of clay when faced with the board, was a ferocious sight to his own players and journalists. He very often dictated the back page of the Daily Record in his day and handled players pay requests and the like with disdain. Weird.

On the field, it's clear his first five years at Celtic were exceptional. Two Trebles and two European Cup Final appearances tell the story. He set a standard that, as eventually unfolded, he himself would find hard to maintain. Celtic's 1970 European Cup run was the finest of them all and it would have been more appropriate, in my view, if they had won the Big One then rather than 1967 - though I doubt the Celtic fans were disappointed. Stein did underestimate Feyenoord, it must be said.

It's obvious now that he never truly recovered from the near-fatal car crash in 1975. Certainly, the results in his last few years at Celtic were sometimes distressing and his judgement on players had gone awry.

I felt he underachieved as Scotland manager, too. In saying that, Scotland have never achieved anything anyway, it must be said. I just feel that with the players we had at that time - Dalglish, Souness, et al - we should have done better in his seven-year reign. It wasn't to be. It's true that Stein, who was bewildered at times by the demands of the Lou Macaris in the 1970's, was further puzzled by the attitude of the 'modern' footballer of the 1980's and the changes in the game.

So, Jock Stein. An outstanding football manager until his accident in 1975 but a curious, contradictory character at all times. RIP. I hope the tribute goes well.

[LongHairedBeardedKiltie]

I would loved to seen a tribute at the Scotland v Italy game, and the games involving all of Jock's clubs.

Albion Rovers,
Dunfermline,
Hibernian
and Celtic

[keltic_bhoy]

I think Scottish football, and hence, every team in Scotland owes something to Jock Stein and it wouldn't have been out of place for there to have been tributes paid all over the country yesterday. It was good to see all the Dons fans joining in nevertheless.

[LongHairedBeardedKiltie]

Originally Posted by keltic_bhoy

I think Scottish football, and hence, every team in Scotland owes something to Jock Stein and it wouldn't have been out of place for there to have been tributes paid all over the country yesterday. It was good to see all the Dons fans joining in nevertheless.

Deffo mate! we were playing Hibs and I would have stood for a celebration for him!