It was an emotional day as the Celtic Family bid farewell to Bertie Auld today (Friday).

Over 1,000 people packed into St Mary’s Church in the Calton for the Requiem Mass, while many more watched online or at Celtic Park.

And when the funeral cortege stopped at Paradise, many thousands of Celtic fans were there to pay tribute to a true Celtic legend and to say goodbye to a man they loved.

It was fitting that, for a man who had given so much to Celtic over so many years, during and after his playing career, the funeral should take place in the parish where Celtic Football Club was born.

Parish priest, Canon Tom White, welcomed everyone to the church, passing on the condolences of everyone to Bertie’s wife, Liz, his children, Susan and Robert, his grandchildren and all Bertie’s family and friends.

And then, before the beginning Mass, Canon White invited a number of speakers up to talk about Bertie as the family man, the friend and the footballer.

His nephew, Ian Cairns, spoke movingly about his Uncle Bert, explaining that the Bertie Auld fans knew and loved was the same character that his family knew and loved too.

Lord Willie Haughey explained that his friendship with Bertie and the rest of the Lisbon Lions was one that had lasted over 30 years. He also noted that both Bertie and Tommy Burns were the two finest ambassadors that Celtic have ever had and that the funerals for both of these great Celts took place at St Mary’s.

And Lord Haughey also spoke of Bertie’s generosity of spirit and devoted friendship to his fellow Lions, especially when Jimmy Johnstone and Tommy Gemmell were fighting their own health battles.

It was clear that, to be Bertie’s friend, was something to treasure.

Bertie’s friend and fellow Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, spoke about his early memories of meeting Bertie when they were both players, and of how Bertie’s support – forthright and always forthcoming – was a constant boost throughout his playing career.

And he recalled that legendary moment ahead of the 1967 European Cup final, when Bertie settled team-mates’ nerves by starting a rendition of The Celtic Song

Jim also spoke of the great bond that Bertie enjoyed with the Celtic supporters, something both of the other speakers referred to. That bond saw Bertie travel near and far to attends supporters’ functions, while his support for numerous charities, including Celtic FC Foundation, was something he happily did over many years.

The Requiem Mass itself was both a celebration of Bertie’s life and also an affirmation of faith that he is going to a better place.

It was Celtic’s legendary manager, Willie Maley, who said following the tragic death of goalkeeper, John Thomson, ‘They never die who live in the hearts they leave behind’.

Those words are so apt for Bertie Auld, whose character and contribution to his beloved Celtic Football Club will continue to live on.

Rest in Peace, Bertie. You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Bertie Auld hailed as one of Celtic’s ‘greatest ambassadors’ at final funeral farewell

Bertie Auld was described as “one of the greatest ambassadors that Celtic Football Club could ever have wished for” as thousands of people gathered to say a final farewell.
By Gavin McCafferty
Friday, 26th November 2021, 4:50 pm
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/bertie-auld-hailed-as-one-of-celtics-greatest-ambassadors-at-final-funeral-farewell-3473530

Auld’s funeral service took place at St Mary’s in Calton in the east end of Glasgow on Friday – the church whose hall held the meeting that led to the establishment of the club in 1887.

Former managers Neil Lennon and Brendan Rodgers were among those who joined Auld’s family, including wife Liz and children Robert and Susan.
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Former players included Dixie Deans, John Clark, George McCluskey, Frank McAvennie, Joe Miller and Tom Boyd.
Celtic fans pay respect as Former Celtic player Bertie Auld’s funeral cortege passes Celtic Park. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group
Celtic fans pay respect as Former Celtic player Bertie Auld’s funeral cortege passes Celtic Park. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group

Current manager Ange Postecoglou was present along with his first-team squad to pay their respects following Auld’s death at the age of 83 following a battle with dementia.

Among those speaking was Auld’s fellow Lisbon Lion, Jim Craig, who recounted the story of his team-mate launching into song in the tunnel beside a bemused Inter Milan team ahead of Celtic’s European Cup final triumph in 1967.

Praising Auld’s perceptive powers, Craig said of their opponents: “I have to admit they looked great, by the way. Tanned and oiled, their cashmere strip a thing of beauty, their boots gleaming, they just looked the part.

“We, on the other hand, were, to use a Scottish expression, peely-wally by comparison, our three days in the Portuguese sun giving us red blotches on our cheeks and that was about it.
Former Celtic player Bertie Auld’s funeral cortege passes Celtic Park. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS Group
Former Celtic player Bertie Auld’s funeral cortege passes Celtic Park. Picture: Craig Foy/SNS Group

“It was a European Cup final, our biggest match of the season, and, like me, I suspect everyone was a bit on the apprehensive side.

“I have always thought Bertie noticed this and immediately raised his voice and launched into the Celtic Song. After a minute or two, we all joined in and it certainly helped us to cope with the big occasion.

“The Inter guys were less impressed. From the looks on their faces, I always thought that their reaction was ‘what the blazes is this we are playing?’ They would soon know.”

Finishing his speech, Craig fought back tears and said: “Bertie Auld was a great Celt and, equally importantly, a very nice man. May he rest in peace.”

Former Celtic director, Lord Willie Haughey, described Auld’s friendship with his former team-mates.

“We became really close during the great Jimmy Johnstone’s illness,” Lord Haughey said.

“It was during this period that I realised what great friendship was. His love for Jinky was immeasurable. In the last 18 months of the wee man’s life, Bertie visited him every single day. The bond that they had was a joy to behold.

“I can say without fear of contradiction, Bertie Auld’s personality, his charisma, his charm, but especially his humour, kept the wee man with us at least an extra year.

“When Tommy Gemmell was taken ill and went into a nursing home, Bertie went to see him every single day. He had big Tam laughing and joking right to the very end.

“Bertie adored being a Lisbon Lion because he believed that kept him connected to the club forever. He was certainly right about that.

“Over the past 50 years, Tommy Burns and Bertie Auld are the two greatest ambassadors that Celtic Football Club could ever have wished for.

“Since Tommy’s passing, Bertie has carried the baton himself. He has worked tirelessly protecting and enhancing the proud reputation of our great club. He travelled far and wide to attend Celtic supporter events. He drove thousands of miles across the UK and Ireland. He never let anyone down.”

Auld’s nephew Ian Cairns explained there was no “filter” between his public persona and how he was with his family.

“My son was looking through the internet and he brought up an interview that my Uncle Bert had where he was talking about my grandad,” he said.

“And on it he tells you the story of when he signed for Celtic and my Daddy Joe says ‘son, at this club, if you entertain these fans they will love you forever and you will never be forgotten’. Well Bertie, you entertained us all.”