Former Celtic defender John Clark, one of the Lisbon Lions who played in the European Cup victory of the club in 1967, died at the age of 84.
Clark, who made more than 300 performances for Celtic after his debut in 1959, spent more than 40 years in the Glasgow Club as a player, coach, assistant manager and Kitman.
His best hour was in Lisbon when the hoops became the first British club to arrive the European cup after their victory over Inter Milan.
A Celtic explanation was: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply sad about the news that the legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark died at the age of 84.”
The club added: “His love for the club was a constant throughout his life and after he had left his role with the first team, he could enjoy matches of the stands in Celtic Park. He will be missed enormously by everyone in the club.”
Clark won four Scottish League titles, four competition cups, three Scottish cups and one European cup during a 13-year-old play career at De Hoops before he went to Morton in 1971.
He returned to Celtic Park as a coach of the reserve and youth side before he became a former manager – and colleague Lisbon Lion – Billy McNeill’s assistant, first in Aberdeen and then, in 1978, in Celtic.
Clark then took the lead on Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde before returning to Celtic Park as Kit Man, a role that he held for almost 20 years.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “Greatness is a word that people throw around, but for John Clark it is a very suitable tribute.
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“John played an important role in delivering our biggest day ever and his performance is forever etched in the proud history of Celtic.”
Chairman Peter Lawwell added: “The death of John represents a huge loss for his own family and of course a huge loss for the wider Celtic family.
“That famous day in Lisbon, of which John was such an integral part, changed our club forever. Since then, every player who has passed our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants.
“John gave his life to Celtic, both as a player and on our staff in different roles and his contribution to our big club for so many decades is immeasurable.”
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