Celtic legend Billy McNeill has proclaimed current Manager Billy McNeill as a Celtic great and has called for the minority of the fans who have still to warm to the Ginger Genius to afford him the respect that his achievements warrant.
Billy was speaking yesterday as he picked up an honorary degree from Glasgow University to mark his impact on the game. The former Celtic Captain and Manager will celebrate 50 years since he made his debut for the Hoops this August.
"It's time the manager was shown greater respect by the fans for what he has achieved."
"You have to give Gordon credit for winning three titles in a row because we live in a time when there's absolutely no respite from pressure where managers are concerned.
"None of us have had time to draw breath since the night the title was won against Dundee United and yet, less than a month later, Rangers have signed two players, Kenny Miller and Andrius Velicka, and are trying to finalise the transfer of a third.
"I think it's possibly easier to be the manager of Celtic or Rangers today than it was when Greigy and I were at opposite ends of the city.
"The reason for that is the access today's managers have to millions of pounds to spend in the transfer market.
"It's never easy to guarantee success because the Old Firm know they're in a two horse race for the championship and the claustrophobic nature of that competition brings an intensity of its own.
"Personally speaking, I'd love to be able to take a breather and enjoy what happened at Tannadice and the fact Celtic took the title with a grandstand finish that saw them win their last seven games. But even the fans are denied a chance to get a second wind, so how must it be for the managers?"
