Celtic Players Must Use Billy McNeill As An Inspiration Now
His passing has led to an outpouring of emotions from everyone associated with Celtic FC and beyond.
Billy McNeill is the greatest ever Celt, and has inspired players and fans since the 1960’s. His death at the age of 79 is a reminder to us all that even the greatest men are mortal. In the eyes of the support though, he is anything but this – he will live forever in their hearts.
As for now, and as for the current group of players, there is something to be taken from this. Recently the performances on the pitch have been pretty lacklustre and uninspiring, leaving many fans and commentators to question their commitment at times.
As we see images and clips of Lisbon Lions like Bertie Auld and John Clark and also club greats like Charlie Nicholas in tears, perhaps this should remind the players of what it is to be a Celtic player. Fans of this great club are suffering now and need the team more than ever to perform and to show them why they love this grand old team.
They need to see Scott Brown charging around the pitch, James Forrest flying down the wing, Kris Ajer leaping above the rest. They want to be inspired again and with just a few games remaining of the season, the players have a duty now to show who they really are.
Kilmarnock on Saturday will be an emotional day, but it should also be a day when they blow the opponents away. The fans will demand nothing less than total and utter commitment from the first whistle.
Performances of late have left fans a bit worried about the future and what it holds for this team, despite all the recent success. That is what it is to be a Celtic player, to play under pressure and uphold the values which were instilled by the greats of the past – like Billy himself.
Lets hope the team give Cesar the send off he deserves on Saturday.