HAPPY 80th, STEVIE

STEVIE CHALMERS, scorer of the most famous goal in Celtic history, celebrates his 80th birthday today.

CQN would like to thank him, along with every other Hoops fans, for diverting that cross from Bobby Murdoch into the Inter Milan net on May 25 1967 in Lisbon to win the European Cup for us.

Stevie scored 231 goals during a 12-year career with the club, making him the fourth top goalscorer of all-time. Only Henrik Larsson (242), Bobby Lennox (277) and Jimmy McGrory (468) have scored more goals for Celtic.

Of course, his goal against the mighty Italians in the Portuguese capital will be the one that is most remembered and revered.

It was the crowning glory for the club, Jock Stein, the group of players he assembled and, of course, for the supporters who, just two years before, had seen their side finish eighth in the league. It also ensured that Stevie Chalmers’ name will forever be remembered by Celtic fans.Chalmers admitted; “It didn’t immediately hit me just how important that goal was when I scored it. You don’t want to think about it too much until the game’s finished.”

There were many other highlights for the all-action frontman who had made his debut as far back as 1959.

He was the last Celt to score a league hat-trick against Rangers; only Bobby Lennox in the Glasgow Cup and Harry Hood in the League Cup have matched that feat. Chalmers also scored in the 1969 Scottish Cup final, hit five goals in a game against Hamilton, when Lennox also scored five that night – a 10-0 win! – and was top scorer in four seasons.Many supporters have, down through the years, visited the famous stadium in Lisbon where history was made, standing on the spot where Chalmers connected with the ball, or re-enacting that moment.

Stevie Chalmers deserved his moment in the sun.