And the funniest story at a game: “That is an easy one, not sure if it is the funniest, but it is a memory that will never leave me. There was a testimonial game at the old Celtic Park. Must have been the early 70s and Jock Stein got in touch asking me if I would referee the game for a couple of minutes.
“Up I trot to the stadium and I am warmly greeted by the legendary Mr Stein, who shows me into the changing room to don the ref’s gear.
“I am confronted with a Rangers tracksuit, Rangers scarf and Rangers tammy. I said to him: “I can’t run out there with this on, they will eat me.” The Big Man laughed and said: “They will love it and it is only for ten minutes.”
“Okay. Out I ran from the tunnel to be met with deafening jeers. I kept running straight out and I went to the old Jungle and produced a red card sending them all off. To this day, I don’t know how the hell it happens, but the fans seem to all have been equipped with some sort of strange communication device that they all tune in to. It happens in every stadium.
“Anyway, I am standing there frantically waving the red card when, to a man, they suddenly start chanting: ‘You can stick your flaming wellies up your arse.’ A memory that will live with me for ever.”
Outstanding memories, you read the rest of Hugh MacDonald’s fine interview with Billy Connolly HERE.
And here’s Billy telling the Celtic story…
* This article is from The Celtic Star archives.
Billy Connolly before he referee’d Jimmy Johnstone & Bobby Lennox’s Testimonial v Manchester United in 1976. Celtic won 4-0. Connolly was jokingly booed by the Jungle for wearing a Rangers shirt. pic.twitter.com/y8AFVgeVKU
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) March 15, 2021
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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.