The day Jock Stein made ‘referee’ Billy Connolly wear a Rangers tracksuit, scarf and tammy…
It’s not often in recent years that we get the chance to hear from the great Billy Connolly. ‘The Big Yin’ has stepped back from the limelight and retired from standup comedy, due to Parkinson’s disease which he has had to deal with for years.
There isn’t much this man hasn’t seen or done or talked about, but in a wonderful interview with Daily Mail journalist Hugh MacDonald, Billy opened up on his football supporting life.
Calling the game his “one true passion”, he recalls times when he marched towards the Jungle wearing a Rangers tracksuit, scarf and Tammy and even being asked to sign a police horse!
There have been plenty of celebrities who have laid claim to their ‘love’ of Celtic, but there are few who remain as dyed in the wool as the man who has been making us all laugh for decades.
Naming his favourite player as Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone, Connolly waxes lyrical about other Celtic idols such as Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson. He was a huge Scotland fan and talked about when he performed for the national team whilst they prepared for the 1974 World Cup.
Here are some of the highlights from the interview. Asked about his first game: “Attending? It was probably back in the mid-50s. Celtic had some good players but, to be honest, they weren’t a great side. They had guys like Bertie Peacock, Charlie Tully, Willie Fernie, Bobby Collins and Bobby Evans.
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- Celtic’s Jock Weir, Charlie Tully, Johnny Bonnar, Alex Rollo and Bertie Peacock in training during the 1950s. Press cutting via The Celtic Wiki
“You would think with players of that calibre in the side, they might have won a few things. Willie Fernie was a great dribbler. The ball was stuck to his feet like a magnet. And I remember Bobby Collins had thighs like tree trunks. Wee Bobby went on to play for Leeds and was their Player of the Year and a bit of a legend down Elland Road way.”
“Football makes me happy. When my football team Celtic wins I do a wee dance in my heart.”
Billy Connolly pic.twitter.com/9NbaGVDQeA— CelticQuote (@CelticQuote) November 24, 2022
27 August 2000: Henrik Larsson celebrates during the Scottish Premier League match against Rangers at Celtic Park. Celtic won the game 6 – 2. Photo: Stu Forster /Allsport
On his favourite player: “In recent times, Henrik Larsson was brilliant. Scored goals out of nothing,” before adding “But for me, wee Jimmy Johnstone wins it. Jinky was unstoppable. Absolute genius. He would get kicked all over the park by defenders who towered over him and yet just pick himself up and get on with it. I also have to say that the wee man wasn’t a bad singer either.”
25.05.1967: Photoimago/Kicker/Metelmann. Jimmy Johnstone (Celtic Glasgow)
His happiest moment watching Celtic: “As far as Celtic happy moments go, fortunately there have been many over the recent history but one that stands out was down at Love Street in ’86 when Celtic had to win by five clear goals and Hearts had to lose at Dundee. Celtic went five up and played brilliantly and then we all had our wee transistor radios on listening to events unfold at Dens Park.
“Albert Kidd scored twice to give Dundee a win and Celtic, under David Hay, the title. It was mayhem and a memory I will always treasure. To this day, there is even a Celtic Supporters’ Club called the Albert Kidd Celtic Supporters’ Club.”
Love the man. A true great and a REAL legend.
I was at that game, usual spot in Jungle and remember it well. Funniest man ever ! The hardest bit is how quickly life passes.Not that I want to go back as I am enjoying every minute of Celtic’s dominance now, trebles etc and in particular, the banter years and hun tears. I get so much out of social media after games which didn’t exist when I was younger (just the Celtic View), especially hun podcasts. More comedy gold. Even they seem to fly by !!! Enjoy it while you can lhads.