THE family of John ‘Yogi’ Hughes, who passed away on Monday at the age of 79, have expressed their eternal gratitude to the Celtic support.
A huge banner was unfurled before the 3-1 Premiership win over Ross County in Dingwall yesterday which proclaimed: ‘YOGI – A CELTIC MAN, REST IN PEACE’.
The thoughtful gesture was appreciated and acknowledged by son John who admitted: “The family have been overwhelmed by the scale of the positive response.
“We will be eternally grateful to the Celtic support for all their beautiful, thoughtful messages and acts of kindness.
“Dad genuinely loved the fans and it’s fantastic to see that love being returned.
“We are devastated, but also bursting with pride and gratitude.”
TRIBUTE TO A CELTIC GREAT…fans display their feelings in a banner before kick-off in Dingwall.
John added: “Special thanks to Michael Nicholson and Iain Jamieson at Celtic, who simply could not have been more helpful.
“They have done our father proud and they’re a credit to the club.”
Ange Postecoglou also paid a personal tribute to the Celtic great who scored 189 goals in his 11-year playing career at Parkhead to become eighth highest scorer in the club’s history.
POSTECOGLOU PRAISE…the Celtic boss, wearing a black armband in memory of John Hughes, salutes the support at the final whistle.
The manager didn’t get the opportunity to meet the fans’ favourite, but said: “An enormous legacy, an icon and legend of this football club and what a player who loved this club.
“You represent this club and you want to achieve things and be successful, but, ultimately, we just want to be remembered for our time. “He’s right up there as one who will always be remembered and sadly he will be missed.”
The personality forward was a regular on match day at Parkhead once his football career was over.
TEENAGE SENSATION…John Hughes, at the age of 17, terrorises Rangers defenders Eric Caldow and Doug Baillie at Ibrox in 1960.
Hughes marked his debut as a 17-year-old rookie centre-forward with a goal against Third Lanark in a 2-0 win in the League Cup at Parkhead in October 1960.
There will be a funeral service at St Mary’s Church in the Calton district of Glasgow at 12,30pm on Friday.
More details will be announced as they emerge with Celtic fans wishing to bid their former goal hero a final farewell.
NEW BHOY JENZ ON TARGET IN TIGHTROPE FINISH
