Murdoch: Lisbon Lions tribute

The Lisbon Lions have remained a tight unit

A well-loved gentle giant off the field, a massive talent and influence on it - that is how Lisbon Lion Bobby Murdoch has been described by those who knew him best.

The tributes have flowed from fellow Celtic legends and former Middlesbrough colleagues since Murdoch died at the age of 56 on Tuesday morning.

Murdoch had suffered a stroke two days earlier and became the first of the 1967 European Cup-winning side to pass away.

Billy McNeill captained the team on that magical night in Lisbon and told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "It is a very, very sad occasion for us all.

He was the orchestra leader and he created from midfield

  Billy McNeill
Former Celtic captain

"Bobby was a lovely, warm and tender person, a genuinely nice man.

"Everything about that team relates back to that evening in 1967, when we won the European Cup.

"It united us and there's a bond between us all."

Murdoch was a pivotal figure in the side that beat Inter Milan 2-1.

"Bobby was at his peak at that time," said McNeill.

"He was a wonderful midfielder, very creative and had two good feet.

"Bobby was very instrumental in it. He really was the orchestra leader and he created from midfield, he probed from behind the front players and scored goals from the edge of the box."

The present, championship-winning squad take on English champions Manchester United in Tom Boyd's testimonial at Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

Bobby Murdoch remained involved with Celtic

McNeill expects an outpouring of affection from the club's supporters.

"It will be interesting to see the reaction tonight, because Bobby was such a big favourite with the fans, even these days he was a regular at supporters' clubs and he was very open with the fans," said McNeill.

Murdoch was one of a number of Lisbon Lions who worked at Celtic Park as part of the match-day hopitality.

"Even to this day we have a very solid unit and, even when we get together now, there's a feeling and a unity about the squad which is quite impressive," said McNeill.

"When we get together, all the old stories come back. So obviously this has hit us all very hard.

"I have spoken to the rest of the squad this morning and it really is a sad occasion for us all."

It's a big loss and a sad day for Celtic Football Club

  John Greig
Former Rangers captain

Lisbon Lions winger Jimmy Johnstone said: "He just touched everybody and everybody will miss him.

"It is very sad and I am devastated. All the boys are the same. It was very unexpected.

"These things can happen to anyone. It's so sad."

Former Rangers captain John Greig has called on supporters of the Ibrox club to pay respect to Murdoch as Celtic fans did to the late Jim Baxter after his death last month.

"Jim Baxter a few weeks ago and now Bobby, it's always sad," said Greig.

"The Celtic supporters paid a great tribute to Jim Baxter a few weeks ago when he died.

"I would like to think that Rangers supporters would do likewise for Bobby.

Bobby Murdoch's shooting was legendary

"It's a big loss and a sad day for the Celtic supporters and Celtic Football Club."

Murdoch spent nine years with Middlesbrough as player, coach and manager between 1973 and 1982.

Flags were flying at half-mast at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday as a mark of respect.

Former goalkeeper Jim Platt, now head coach at the club's Football in the Community Centre, said: "As a player, Bobby was outstanding, a fantastic passer of the ball who did a tremendous job for Middlesbrough.

"But he was also a smashing bloke, a gentleman. He did a great job as youth team coach, but I think he took the manager's job too soon."

Current youth team coach Mark Proctor was one of the youngsters Murdoch helped to develop.

He said: "Bobby was an inspirational figure in Jack Charlton's promotion team of 1974 and later helped produce several fine young players during his spell as our youth team coach.

"He will be sadly missed."