The first time I met Bertie Auld, I was walking upstairs at Celtic Park as he was walking down while talking to someone else. As we passed each other, he paused his conversation, turned to me and said, “How’ you doing son?” He would not walk past a Celtic fan without acknowledging them.
He was the sporting hero, the centre of attraction, but he had a gift – he knew how to light up the lives of others. And how. Put him in front of Celtic fans and Bertie came alive. That old story of the fans singing as they walked up Kerrydale St, the noise flowing through the open windows of the dressing room, lifting the team before they took the field. That was how Bertie remembered it and he told each subsequent generation what it meant to him.
In his prime in the Celtic midfield, he was brilliant, gallus and hard in equal measure. The Lisbon Lions were a team of many parts, but the creativity had three fulcrums: Bobby Murdoch, Jimmy Johnstone and Bertie Auld. In Lisbon, they set the heartbeat for a performance that swept Inter away and had the whole of Europe celebrating.
You know the story, 11 men from within 30 miles of Celtic Park stood in the tunnel, some with their false teeth in a bag, alongside the football heroes of the era, a team who had won the European Cup twice in the previous three years. Bertie said they looked like “movie stars”, unaware of his own profile. He sensed hesitation among his team mates so started a chorus; “Hail, hail, the Celts are here……”
Did it make a difference to the outcome? Probably not, but Celtic and Inter both played like the Scots were at home. Whenever I hear this story, I think back to that time I walked past him on the stairs, Bertie’s awareness of people and what to do to put them at ease was his most exceptional quality. He did this with his team mates, he did it to me and there is a good chance he did it to you.
I met the man many more times and shared a platform with him on occasion. Bertie was always an event, always, but there is one other meeting that gets to the heart so the man. I was at Celtic Park on a non-matchday and was speaking to the security man on my way out when Bertie joined us. John the security man asked, “Are you going home now, Bertie?” Bertie said, “I’ll head over to the Superstore first, see if there’s any fans in.” He would not leave Celtic Park when there was some joy to spread around.
You and I did nothing to deserve a man like this in our lives, he was a gift from above. Yesterday’s news is a profound loss to everyone he touched. For me, he was Mr Celtic; the very best of us. We will never see his like again.
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As a young Celtic fan growling up in the 90s and watching Rangers win everything, I took a lot of pride in knowing we’d won Thee European Cup and that no matter what, that always would mark us out.
The stories on a personal level mark Bertie out as a gentleman. We’ve lost something special but his achievements will last long after we’re all gone.
Rest in Peace, Bertie. Our Lady Queen of the Gael, pray for him.
Heroes are taken from us, but, no one can take away our memories, Hail! Hail! Bertie, RIP.
por cierto.
Bertie Auld once said to a referee – Ye must be blind ref.
The referee – What did you say?
Bertie – Jeezo ye’re deef anaw?
My brother and his pal took me to my first Celtic game on 2 January 1959. I remember the excitement of going into Parkhead on Phil Cole’s bus from Coatbridge. I was 7 years old. We drew 3-3 with Motherwell. Though I don’t remember much about the game that day will stay with me as long as I live. I just checked our team on Celtic Wiki. Playing at outside left was a certain Bertie Auld. So I saw him during both of his spells at Celtic (though I didn’t know much about this first occasion to be honest). I also saw us beat Dunfermline 3-0 ( Bertie and Bertie Peacock were both out due to flu) and a 3-0 win against Hibs. Bertie didn’t play that day either.
TOSB
Thanks. Regarding wee Bertie in the 50s, it’s almost forgotten about that he nearly made the 7-1 team.
He played in most of the previous rounds (but not the Semi Final) and he scored in the Quarter Final.
Neilly Mochan came in for him in the SF and kept his place for the final and who can argue with that decision since Neilly scored 2 of our SEVEN goals.
Bertie wasn’t even at the final since no subs in those days and played for the reserves away to Queen of the South – but I can imagine him giving it tight to anybody of the blue persuasion that night and forever afterwards!
Beautiful tribute to Bertie, Paul. Well done.
I also loved 67 European Cup Winners line; some people can light up a room, when Bertie entered the floodlights came on.
I was fortunate to see Bertie play during our glory years. I believe his footballing skills were underrated, perhaps over-shadowed, unfairly, by the wondrous talent throughout the team. He was a terrific player.
I saw an English journalist was curious as to why Bertie only enjoyed 3 caps for his country. Plus ca change!
I believe Ange spent over an hour with Celtic Fans media today, hopefully links to it soon
A huge loss. Condolences to all his family and friends. Robert Auld, a man for all seasons.
His self-assuredness made everyone around him believe, that indeed is a great gift.
May you rest in peace Bertie…until you start up the heavenly choir.
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You just know that when Bertie Auld came into a room he brought something with him and when he went out he left something behind.
And to quote Hugh McIlvaney “ he wisnae a bum tackler by the way “
BA you will be sorely missed.
Hail Hail
Took a wee trip to paradise. Some beautiful tributes. Nice to see some Danish supporters paying their respects to the legend that was Bertie Auld.
What a player. What a character. What a loss loss.
RIP Bertie
Reading the many terrific comments concerning the inimitable Bertie Auld was heart-warming .
They also made me think that maybe we should be a wee bit more complimentary to people we rate whilst they are still with us.
Great article Paul and said with loads of feeling, brilliant.
I have two great memories of Bertie, one was how jealous I was of him because my girlfriend kept saying he had fabulous legs!!
Ibrox I think, but it may have been Parkhead but we were playing the hun and |Bertie scored , dropped to his knees and blessed himself, much to the joy of the Celtic fans. I understand too that he was not even a Catholic, which makkes it even more amusing.
Just loved the guy, and I think what would be his value today if he were playing.
Very sadly missed and thanks Bertie for some fantastic memories
KINGLuBO
https://twitter.com/StevenRobson/status/1460178669746507776?s=20
Another typical Bertie story
Nice. 👏 💚
North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) Tweeted:
You were the spirit of that most famous Celtic side. More impressively, you remained the spirit of Celtic no matter the side or generation. You were the embodiment of Celtic.
RIP Bertie https://t.co/pEdvscgVKQ https://twitter.com/NCCeltic/status/1460215795980673029?s=20
Robert Auld RIP
RIP Bertie , my condolences to his family at this most hurtful of times but I’m sure they will find the genuine and heartfelt comments from people who knew him through Celtic FC and the fans of comfort now and for the future.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 15TH NOVEMBER 2021 5:18 PM
that action picture in the final, he does himself an injustice when he said they had the film star looks , he is handsome himself, and the one word missing today is pure Glesga Gallus.
did he even break sweat in the heat of lisbon ?
The BBC site had a `Pick your Scotland team` for tonight`s game.
Interestingly, there was not a single Celtic player in the selection but FIVE ex-Celts ( six if Robertson is included).
Does that tell us something?
Hopefully no Celtic players starting tonight.
We have a more important game at Hampden on Saturday.
Moravcik
I agree but I would be surprised if Calmac is not involved.
I read a comment that summed up Bertie perfectly, he was the one that in particular had the ability to transcend the various generations of Celtic supporters, he is one of the key reasons we celebrate Lisbon today and why the Celtic support of any age can relate to that day in Lisbon.
Of course his career was not just about Lisbon he achieved so much more.
As other have said, it’s hard to find a better example of a Celtic supporter than Bertie Auld.
God Bless
Another brilliant tribute from Bernard Ponsonby on STV news to Bertie
The Galloway clique,stay away
Celtic icons interview.Bertie Auld.
Part 1
https://youtu.be/qraTjdDIV_4
Part2
https://youtu.be/tXbojW7R2LI
An enjoyable hour
HH
RIP Bertie
YNWA
Paradise today
Some contradictory research on Bertie.
A while back I posted some stuff about his time with Birmingham.
I was fascinated by the fact he was close to being in the 7-1 team as a young man, think about it he played football with Peacock and Tully, and also missed the 1961 SCF (april 21st), not selected and instead played in a reserve game that day.
What fascinated me to find out was he played for Birmingham City in the Fairs city final in 1961 Birmigham vs Roma. I had read he said this was his debut in an interview, but that was in Septemeber.
I have found him though in the line up for Birmingham vs Inter in the 2nd leg semi final in 3rd May 1961.
So seems that was his debut, City won 2-1, Bertie was 23.
Maybe he is undefeated against the Italian team ?
Paul67 – your article today is a brilliant tribute to a great Celt. Thankyou
!!BADA BING!! on 15TH NOVEMBER 2021 6:19 PM
Another brilliant tribute from Bernard Ponsonby on STV news to Bertie
The Galloway clique,stay away
—————-
I thought it was quite brilliant and surely captured the essence of the man, fine tribute well spoken. Had my bottom lip a wee bit quivering. I am getting safter on these occasions the older i get.
Rip bertie
Gone but never forgotten.
A Wonderful tribute to the Celtic Legend Bertie by Paul67.
Nice 1.
I’ve ust watched the News and got the news regarding Bertie Auld passing away. It was quite a shock to my system.
He was a great player for us and I was glad to watch him in Lisbon in 67.
When I joined CQN they wanted the name I’d use when posting on CQN, it was a choice between oldtim & Auldtim, I chose the former, but I have been going to change it over the years, and I regret it now, as he was one of my favourite Players back then
RIP BERTIE.
CONNAIRE12 on 15TH NOVEMBER 2021 2:37 PM
thats a brilliant post. Lisbon and the Port Hibs Hall, name checked with Bertie and your good self.
Superb memories.
Bernard Ponsenby was fantastic on the news. Had a lump in my throat and captured the essence of Bertie perfectly.
from the celticwiki
so Bertie did join in May, and did play against Internazioanle 2 days later as his brummy debut.
Amazing quiz trivia – who was the first Scotsman to play in a european final ?
well that would be bertie auld in 1961.
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Trivia
Following the disappointment of being the losing finalist in a replayed Scottish Cup, Celtic returned to playing out the rest of the season – the main importance being whether they finished third or fourth in the League.
After playing for the best part of four months with the Reserves, Bertie Auld was again the centre of transfer rumours. He had been watched in the Reserve League decider against Hearts by representatives from Birmingham City and a bid was expected. Bertie had refused to move to Blackpool in January even though a fee had been agreed between the two clubs. Despite Celtic always saying that they would never transfer a player that did not want to leave, there is without doubt the feeling that Bertuie had been demoted to the Reserves (losing his place in the first team to Alec Byrne) for failing to agree to Celtic’s wish to transfer him for a fee to Blackpool. Bertie duly was transferred to Birmingham on the 1st May for a fee estimated to be around £15,000.
https://youtu.be/HB72i9OCxm4
AP will Celtic Fan media today….
Have to add my thanks to Bernard Ponsenby for his piece on Bertie. HEARTFELT SC.
Goodnight all thanks for being here.