O'Neill leads Johnstone tributes

Martin O’Neill believes the memory of winger Jimmy Johnstone will “live forever” at Celtic.

The former Hoops winger, who died aged 61 after a long battle with motor neurone disease, was a man who left O’Neill “in complete awe of this footballing genius”.

As the club considers an appropriate long-term tribute to the 1967 European Cup winner, O’Neill revealed how Johnstone continued to command immense respect at Parkhead.

The former Celtic boss, who resigned last year to look after his unwell wife, said: “As long as Celtic Football Club breathes, Jimmy Johnstone, voted the greatest player in the club’s history, will live forever.”

O’Neill added: “I met Jimmy along with the rest of that ‘67 Lisbon Lions team when I first came to Glasgow almost six years ago.

“As we gathered round the table, it was obvious to me the respect and regard in which he was held by his team-mates.

“He was wonderful company that evening, with a subtle mixture of charm and humility, sometimes teasing everyone in sight, yet at other times deflecting the conversation away from himself and his legendary exploits, and making you feel as if you were his best friend.”