Celtic legend Charlie Gallagher has died at the age of 80.
The Hoops legend spent 12 years at Celtic Park and was part of the squad that lifted the European Cup in 1967, although he didn’t play in the game in Lisbon.
But he’s fondly remembered at the club for his role in the squad in the build up to the game, and he also became the first Scottish born player to play for the Republic of Ireland.
He spent 11 years at the club and made 171 appearances, scoring 32 goals and winning the league on three occasions, as well as the Scottish Cup, League Cup and the European Cup.
He also played for Dumbarton before returning to Glasgow’s east end as a scout and Celtic will pay tribute to him during their game against Bristol City on Wednesday.
Ange Postecoglou’s men will wear black armbands for the match and have paid tribute to him on the club website.
A statement said: "Everyone at Celtic Football Club is extremely sad to hear of the death of Charlie Gallagher, who has passed away at the age of 80, and the thoughts and prayers of the whole Celtic Family are with Charlie’s wife, Mary, his children and grandchildren, and all his family and friends.
"Charlie’s contribution to his beloved Celtic over 12 years was immense, and having joined the club in 1958, he would become an integral part of the squad which achieved great things both in Scotland and in Europe under the stewardship of Jock Stein.
"He made his debut on August 22, 1958 in a League Cup tie against Raith Rovers, a match that Celtic won 1-0, and it would be the first of 171 appearances he would make for the Hoops, scoring 32 goals in the process before he left in 1970.
"During that time, Charlie made a massive contribution to the club’s achievements, and also made international football history as the first Scottish-born player to represent the Republic of Ireland.
"He played a key part in two pivotal moments for Celtic – delivering the corner which Billy McNeill headed home to win the 1965 Scottish Cup, a triumph which set Jock Stein’s Celtic on the road to unprecedented success.
"Two years later, the same duo combined to see off Vojvodina in the quarter-final of the European Cup and take the Hoops a closer to European glory, and Charlie was one of those who narrowly missed out on a place in the starting XI for the final in Lisbon. Yet, he celebrated that triumph with his team-mates and has always been rightly acknowledged as part of the Lisbon Lions squad.
"That Vojvodina game was just one of many European nights that Charlie experienced, going all the way back to Celtic’s first ever European tie against Valencia in 1962.
"Domestically, he won the clean sweep of Scottish honours – league, Scottish Cup and League Cup while, in February 1967, Jock Stein made him captain for a Scottish Cup tie against Elgin City in recognition of his achievement in playing for the Republic of Ireland.
"Charlie was a great Celt who was also a great Celtic supporter, willing the team on to further success and always humble about his achievements.
"Charlie Gallagher was a hugely popular figure amongst the Celtic support, who always recognised him as one of their own. His many achievements for Celtic Football Club will always be remembered."
