CONGRATULATIONS to the incomparable Bertie Auld, who celebrates his 77th birthday today.
Wee Bertie, a good friend of CQN, was one of the finest entertainers in the game when he and Bobby Murdoch were ruling the roost in the mid-sixties with their magical midfield double-act.
Of course, the Maryhill Bhoy is still a bit of an entertainer to this day, as anyone who catches up with this great character will surely testify.
Bertie’s humour shines through everywhere he goes on his travels and no-one can ever tire of his fabulous stories.
One quick sample is this one before a game against Rangers. Bertie takes up the story. “I was standing in the Parkhead tunnel with John Greig as we prepared to go out for the game.
“There was the usual racket going on out on the terracings and in the stands as the fans of both teams got ready for the arrival of the gladiators.
“I sidled up to the Ibrox captain and whispered: ‘What sort of bonus are you on today, Greigy?’ He told me: “It’s ten quid today, Bertie. What are you on?’
“I told him: ‘Naw, our bosses will not match that. We’re on a fiver.’
“Greigy looked at me and said: ‘Sorry to hear that, Bertie.’
“I looked him in the eye and said: “Oh, don’t be, Greigy. At least, I’m guaranteed my fiver!” The opposition captain was speechless. As I recall, we won, too!”
Happy birthday, Bertie. Have a great day!
