CELTIC have paid tribute to former assistant manager John Robertson who has died at the age of 72.
Martin O’Neill’s ex-No.2 sadly passed away on Christmas Day.
The champions issued a statement which read: “Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former assistant manager John Robertson.
“John assisted Martin O’Neill between 2000-2005 during which time they led the club to one of the most successful periods in Celtic’s history.”
Chairman Peter Lawwell said: “It was an honour to call John a friend. He was such a fine man, a footballing great, but, above all, such a decent person with real humour and humility.
“He is someone who will be so sadly missed by so many. He made such an important contribution to Celtic which we will always be so thankful for.
“Our sincere thoughts and prayers are very much with John’s family today at such a difficult time for them all.”
Chief Executive Michael Nicholson added: “Everyone at the club is so saddened to learn of John’s passing. He was a tremendous servant to football and, of course, to Celtic at a hugely successful time for the club, playing such an important role for us.
“John was a great man and his passing represents such a heavy loss to so many and most of all his family who we are thinking about today.
“We send our deepest condolences to them.”
SPANISH SIGHS…Martin O’Neill, John Robertson and Steve Walford watch Celtic lose 3-2 in extra-time to Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
Chris Sutton, who joined O’Neill and Robertson at Celtic in the summer of 2000 following a £6million switch from Chelsea, said: “Very sad news.
“John was an incredible player, a genius, a legend, a sharp-witted, funny man, a great friend and mentor to me and we will all miss him greatly.
“Thoughts and love and prayers go out to Sharyl and the Robertson family.”
Former midfielder Alan Thompson said: “Just heard the devastating news that my ex assistant manager at Celtic John Robertson passed earlier today.
“Thoughts are with his lovely family and thoughts and prayers are with them all.”
The 28 times-capped Scotland international winger, who played in the 1978 and 1982 World Cup Finals, was at his peak as a player during Brian Clough’s remarkable Nottingham Forest period and won two European Cups, setting up the winner for Trevor Francis against Malmo in 1979 and sealing victory with a low drive against SV Hamburg a year later.
He also lifted a league title and two League Cups during his time at the City Ground.
Robertson was born in Viewpark in Lanarkshire and grew up as a Rangers fan. He played for Scotland at schoolboy and youth levels before being spotted by Forest scouts whilst playing for Drumchapel Amateurs in 1970.
He spent 13 years at Forest before moving to rivals Derby County on a free transfer, only to return after two seasons.
In total, he made over 500 appearances for Forest, scoring 95 goals.
After hanging up his boots as a player he moved into coaching and became a pivotal part in the backroom team of his ex-Forest team-mate O’Neill.
Robertson worked as both an assistant coach and a scout with O’Neill, first teaming up with him at Wycombe Wanderers.
He followed him to Norwich City and Leicester City and then onto Celtic – where they had their most successful spell.
O’Neill and Robertson – with Steve Walford completing the dug-out trio – won three league titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup between 2000 and 2005, as well as reaching the UEFA Cup Final in 2003.
They continued at Aston Villa in 2006 after the Irishman had left Parkhead the previous year.
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