THERE will be a minute’s silence at Ibrox before the 12.30pm kick-off today as a mark of respect to Frank McGarvey.
The former Celtic striker passed away yesterday at the age of 66 following a short battle with cancer.
McGarvey spoke to supporters at Parkhead before the game against Hibs on October 15 after news of his illness had been made public.
He thanked the thousands of fans for their support over the years, on and off the park.
DREAM COME TRUE…Frank McGarvey joins his boyhood idols with Billy McNeill and John Clark looking on.
The Glaswegian’s football career began with St Mirren in 1975 and he spent four years with the Paisley before moving to Liverpool.
After 10 months at Anfield, Billy McNeill paid £275,000 to bring him to his boyhood heroes Celtic in March 1980.
Over the next five years, the courageous frontman, capped seven times by Scotland, played 245 times for the Hoops, scoring 109 goals, and he is one of only 30 players in the club’s history to have scored at least a century of goals.
He won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and the League Cup with the Parkhead club and will always be remembered for his remarkable headed winner against Dundee United in the 1985 Scottish Cup Final.
Ironically, that spectacular effort turned out to be his last goal for Celtic.
THE FINAL FAREWELL…Frank McGarvey thanks the Celtic supporters before the 6-1 win over Hibs in October.
He would go on to win the Scottish Cup again with St Mirren in 1987, having returned to the Paisley club for a second spell.
As his playing career wound down, he had spells at Queen of the South, Clyde, Shotts Bon Accord and Troon.
The minute’s silence this afternoon will also be held to remember the 66 victims of the Ibrox Disaster on January 2 1971.
In a week where a number of important figures have sadly passed away, Celtic will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Brazil legend Pele, as well as McGarvey.
Further tributes will be paid at the champions’ home game against Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Rest in peace, Frank. You’ll Never Walk Alone.
