Neil Lennon has paid an emotional tribute to Billy McNeill who Billy McNeill tributes led by Scott Brown and Chris Sutton as Hoops legend passes away .
The Celtic manager admitted he feels honoured to have followed in the footsteps of a legend who played, captained and managed the club.
Lennon says Celtic is more than a club and insisted that is in a huge part down to Billy.
The Irishman said: "This is such sad news and I want to send thoughts and prayers to Liz and all the family from myself and all the backroom staff here at the club.
"When you think of Celtic and our incredible history, Billy McNeill is always one of the first names that comes to mind. He was our greatest ever captain and one of our greatest ever players, and along with his team-mates, achieved historic things for Celtic in the 1960s and ’70s.
Billy McNeill tributes led by Scott Brown and Chris Sutton as Hoops legend passes away
"I love Billy’s statue, which is the first thing you see whenever you walk up The Celtic Way. It’s the perfect image of him, holding aloft the European Cup, and it will remind future generations of supporters of what a great Celtic man he was.
"As a Celtic supporter, to get the chance to play for the club, captain the team and finally to become manager is something that dreams are made of. The fact that I’ve achieved all three is something that I really appreciate, and the fact that I’m following in the footsteps of a legend like Billy McNeill makes me truly lucky.'
Lennon revealed McNeill, who died aged 79, was an inspiration to him and admitted he regularly provided him with support.
The 47-year-old told the club website : "Billy was a brilliant Celtic player, and a great manager, and as a player and a fan myself, it was always a great experience whenever I would meet him and chat to him. He was so positive and supportive, and always wanted all of us to do well because, if we did, it meant that Celtic were doing well and, for Billy, that was everything.
"This was his club, and he devoted his professional life to Celtic. In turn, he received the gratitude, admiration and love of every Celtic supporter.
"This is more than a club, with Celtic known throughout the world, and it is because of people like Billy McNeill that this is the case. He was a giant of the game, a true Celtic legend and someone that we will all miss."
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