The Belfast Celtic Society has joined the tributes to Celtic's European Cup-winning captain and former manager Billy McNeill.
McNeill, leader of the famed Lisbon Lions, became the first British player to ever lift the European Cup when the Hoops beat Inter Milan in May 1967.
He also had two spells as boss at Parkhead, and in 2015 the club erected a statue in McNeill's honour outside the stadium.
Belfast Celtic Society recalled how McNeill became a friend of Belfast through his frequent visits to the city, including in July 1971 when he attended the funeral of Belfast-born Hoops icon Charlie Tully.
Posting a photograph on Facebook of McNeill and legendary Celtic manager Jock Stein at the funeral ceremony, the Society said: "It is with the most profound, sincere and deep regret that our Society learns of the passing of that icon of world football Billy McNeill, former defender, captain and manager of Celtic FC.
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"Pictured here bearing the remains of Charlie Tully, alongside his mentor Jock Stein, Billy had an enduring relationship with Tully which began with visits to the family home when he was a youth player.
"McNeill would later ascend to the pinnacle of European football and his iconic pose while hoisting the European Cup aloft in Lisbon in 1967 has since been immortalised in Bronze at the foot of the Celtic Way in Glasgow.
"It wasn’t just for Charlie Tully’s funeral that Billy came to Belfast - he was a habitual visitor to the city for supporters club events and he kept track of the work of our Society through our President Charlie Tully Jr, sometimes offering memorabilia to treasure."
The Society added: "To the Celtic Family, our Brother Club Celtic FC and most importantly the McNeill family, we offer our most deepest condolences from our committee and all the members of our Society. Chroist dean trocaire.
"A Lion sleeps tonight."
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