Some Celtic fans are paying emotional tributes to club legend Ian Young, who passed away at the age of 76 yesterday.
The former player’s death was announced by the Hoops’ social media account. He passed away due to an illness and his death was confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement released by the Bhoys, they said: “Everyone at Celtic Park was saddened to hear that former Celt, Ian Young who played for the club from 1961 until 1968, passed away suddenly after illness at the age of 76.”
After hearing the news, some Hoops fans are emotional tributes to the death of a former club icon.
Sad, sad news. What a lovely guy. One of my favorite little chats I ever had.
— Chris McGuigan (@ChrisLostBhoy) December 12, 2019
A Scottish cup winner in 1965. That game was the starting point of what makes Celtic great today. To that Ian Young will always be remembered amongst greatness. YNWA
— Ryan Coyle (@RyanSoulbhoy) December 11, 2019
Much sadness. Its been a tough year fothe legends unfortunately
— Anne McConnell (@islay13) December 11, 2019
Aye it’s Celtic Celtic that’s the team for me, Celtic Celtic on to victory, they’re the finest team in Scotland, I hope you all agree, they’ll never give up till they’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league. RIP Ian
— The Bolingoli Bhoys (@jimmymc5430) December 12, 2019
Ian was the earliest Celtic player I remember watching. RIP
— Martin Mc1967 (@Martinmc1967) December 11, 2019
Poignant that Ian Young has died three days after Celtic won the League Cup final. Ian helped to beat Rangers in ’65-66 LC final, was part of the side which ended Celtic’s 8-year trophy drought (’65 Scottish Cup) and first of 9 in a row before injury. Rest in peace Ian. #CelticFC
— Phil Gordon (@PJG_Sport) December 11, 2019
Young was a regular right-back for the Hoops when the club was one of the best in Europe during the tutelage of another club legend in Jock Stein. Celtic and St. Mirren were the only two clubs he had ever played for.
He had been at the club from 1961 to 1968, also playing in the centre-back position multiple times. He had joined St. Mirren after that, playing at the club for about two years after retiring in 1970. A knee injury at the age of 27 had cut his career short.
The Scotsman had joined the Bhoys from Neilston Waverley and played 133 games for the club, scoring thrice. During his stay at the club, he won a total of four titles. The club became the Champions of Scotland in 1966, winning the Scottish Cup in 1965. Young also won the League Cup in the 1955-56 campaign.
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Being part of Stein’s great sides in the 1960s is no small feat. Young had a role to play in establishing Celtic as one of the most feared teams in Europe. Club icons such as him should always be reverred.