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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Tony Clerkson

Tributes to Celtic legend Stevie Chalmers as Lisbon Lion visits Paradise one last time

Tributes have been paid to Celtic legend Stevie Chalmers after the funeral of the Lisbon Lion.

The 83-year-old, who scored the iconic winning goal in Lisbon in 1967, the most important in the history of the club, passed away on 29 April following a brave battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Former players and managers joined Chalmers' wife Sadie and family to pay their respects at St Mary's Church in Calton, in the east end of the city.

Lisbon Lions Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig, Bertie Auld, John Clark and John Hughes paid tribute along with former teammates Danny McGrain, Davie Hay and Dixie Deans. 

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, club chairman Ian Bankier, interim manager Neil Lennon and the current team also attended the mass, along with former boss Martin O'Neill and ex-stars Paul McStay, Tom Boyd, Roy Aitken and Murdo MacLeod.

Pallbearers carry Stevie Chalmer's coffin from the church (SNS Group)

Many mourners arriving at St Mary's Church wore a touch of green to respect the legendary striker's family wishes.

Supporters also gathered at Celtic Park to pay their last respects as the funeral cortege made its way to the stadium grounds before going to a private cremation.

Tributes to the Lisbon Lion legend have been placed at Celtic Park and a banner reading: 'Stevie No 9' was erected over the entrance of the stadium.

The hearse carrying Stevie Chalmers is led from the church to Celtic Park (SNS Group)

Funeral of Celtic legend Stevie Chalmers underway in Glasgow with tribute banner erected at Parkhead  

Chalmers' death came a week after that of club icon Billy McNeill, who also fought dementia.

Fellow Lisbon Lion Jim Craig said: "It has been a difficult week to lose another team mate.

"Stevie was a very popular guy with everybody, fans and players alike and at this time our thoughts are with Sadie and the family.

Fans turn out to bid farewell to favourite son of Celtic, Stevie Chalmers (PA)

Sir Alex Ferguson was there as was former Rangers goalkeeper Peter McCloy, who paid a warm tribute to his friend and former rival.

McCloy said: "He was a great player, one of those like a Duracell battery, he kept on running all day. A great team man.

"More importantly, he was was a lovely man, we played a lot golf together and he beat me at that too."

Martin O'Neill (R) leaves the church alongside Lisbon Lions Bertie Auld and John Clark (partially obscured) (SNS Group)

Chalmers scored 228 goals in 405 appearances as Celtic embarked on their famous nine-in-a-row run and the glory of Lisbon.

The fifth highest scorer in the history of the club, behind only Jimmy McGrory, fellow Lion Bobby Lennox, Henrik Larsson and Jimmy Quinn, Chalmers will go down in Celtic history as someone special.

Celtic fans line the streets around Celtic Park (PA)
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