Sky Sports host Hayley McQueen was left blown away by the manner of Celtic’s winning goal against Kilmarnock on a day on which the club were left celebrating the life of Hoops legend Billy McNeill.
The Bhoys icon, who was captain of the famous Lisbon Lions side who secured the European Cup back in 1967 and wore number five for the club, passed away earlier in the week and as such Saturday’s clash was all about remembering his achievements at Parkhead.
The game, which finished 1-0, was settled by a header from Jozo Simunovic and McQueen could not get over the fact that it was not only Celtic’s current number five who won the game but that his effort came in the 67th minute.
She took to Twitter to write: “Wow!!! In the 67th minute, Celtic’s number 5 puts them 1-0 up against Kilmarnock. Of course 1967 the year Celtic won the European Cup and the number 5 & club captain Billy McNeill lifted the trophy with his famous Lisbon Lions.”
Wow!!! In the 67th minute, Celtic’s number 5 puts them 1-0 up against Kilmarnock. Of course 1967 the year Celtic won the European Cup and the number 5 & club captain Billy McNeill lifted the trophy with his famous Lisbon Lions. #BillyMcNeill
— HAYLEY MCQUEEN (@HayleyMcQueen) April 27, 2019
Opinion
Some might say that it was written in the stars and it is quite difficult not to acknowledge just how sentimental that goal was for the club after one of their saddest weeks in recent history. McNeill was a legend not only at Celtic but in Scottish and British football and the script could not have been written any better on Saturday afternoon. Simunovic was not only the match winner but one of the best players out on the pitch and you could see by his and his teammates’ celebrations after the goal what the occasion meant to them. A couple of naysayers might call it coincidence and that might well be the case but football works in weird and wonderful ways. This was one of those times, and a fitting tribute to a man who inspired, and will continue to inspire, Celtic’s players and fans for years to come.