CELTIC legend John Clark has died at the age of 84.
The Parkhead club announced the Lisbon Lion’s passing this afternoon with an emotional statement on social media.
SNSJohn Clark won the European Cup with Celtic[/caption]
Scottish News and SportClark playing against Rangers in 1966[/caption]
Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowClark (right) with Billy McNeill and Jock Stein[/caption]
PAClark and Bertie Auld display the European Cup in front of Celtic fans[/caption]
The statement from Celtic read: “Everyone at #CelticFC is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84.
“The whole Celtic family will mourn John’s loss together, supporters and colleagues alike.
“Rest in Peace John, You’ll Never Walk Alone ”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the icon as an “absolute inspiration” and insisted it was a “tremendous privilege” to work alongside him.
He said: “John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic’s proud history.
“John’s continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players, managers and staff, including myself very much.
“To have him with us, as part of the club for so long has been a tremendous privilege for us all, it meant so much to us. Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club.”
Celtic chairman, Peter Lawwell said: “John’s passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family.
“A very dear friend and colleague, John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team mates with such grace and humility.
“That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants.”
Chief executive Michael Nicholson added: “I would like to offer all our sincere and heartfelt condolences to John’s family on such a sad day.
“In losing John, we have all lost a dear friend, such a fine man and someone who gave Celtic everything over such a long time.
“In a sense John was Celtic, on and off the pitch across so many years, contributing so much to our success at all times.
“While John was one of our greatest, he never saw himself as that, his own humility never allowing him to do so.
“The whole Celtic family will mourn John’s loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. We will ensure that we give John’s family every support at such a difficult time.”
Clark won six league titles, three Scottish Cups, five League Cups and of course played a key role in the iconic European Cup victory over Inter Milan in 1967.
Clark was one of just two players to feature in all 59 matches in the famous Quadruple season in 1966/67, with Tommy Gemmell the only other Lisbon Lion to replicate the feat.
Kenny Ramsay – The Sun GlasgowClark with fellow Lisbon Lions Bobby Lennox, Willie Wallace, Billy McNeill, Bertie Auld and Stevie Chalmers[/caption]
Between April 1965 and September 1967, he played in 140 consecutive matches.
Clark went on to become Celtic‘s second-longest serving figure after Willie Maley as he held various roles within the club across eight decades.
He spent over 45 years with the Hoops both as a player and coach and kit man.
He was Celtic’s lead kit man for over 20 years after taking on the role in 1997.
Clark was given the nickname Mr Celtic for his long-lasting service to the Glasgow club.
He joined Celtic at the age of 17 in 1958 and spent 13 years in the East End of Glasgow before heading to Morton for two years between 1971 to 1973.
The legend was capped four times for Scotland and made two appearances for the Scottish League XI in the late 60s.
In total he made 318 appearances for Celtic, scoring three goals.
Clark returned to Celtic as reserve team coach then teamed up with Billy McNeill as assistant manager at Aberdeen then Celtic.
PAHe was a much-loved figure at Celtic Park[/caption]
He had a managerial career with Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, Clyde and Shotts Bon Accord.
In May 2004 Martin O’Neill presented Clark with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Celtic.
Clark’s son Martin was a footballer, playing for Clyde, Nottingham Forest and Partick Thistle in the 1990s before spells as assistant manager at Morton and East Stirling.
Clark’s passing means Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace are the only surviving Lisbon Lions.
The Celtic legend’s granddaughter Clare reacted to the tragic news on social media with a message to her ‘Gangan’.
She wrote: “A Legend to Many, But to Me… Just Gangan.
“To the world, he may have been a legend, remembered for his days on the football pitch, for the games he played and the history he made. But to me, he was simply my Gangan. The one who took me to feed the ducks when I was little.
“The proudest smile at every school awards and graduation. The man who thought “you look clean” was the biggest compliment you could give. And I wouldn’t be who I am today without him.”
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