A statue honouring Celtic legend Billy McNeill has been unveiled yards from the footballer’s childhood home.
His widow Liz McNeill and the couple's four daughters joined family, friends, ex-Celtic stars and hundreds of fans for Saturday's unveiling in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire close to Abbotsford Place where he grew up.
The bronze statue is the culmination of a two-year fundraising drive by the community to honour the 'Lisbon Lion', who was the first Northern European to lift the European Cup in 1967.
The former Celtic captain is depicted holding the club pennant that was exchanged with the captain of the Inter Milan side before the Glasgow club's historic 2-1 win.
The charity is to continue fundraising to support young footballers in Lanarkshire, with the late footballer's widow as patron.
Former Celtic player Tom Boyd welcomed the crowd before the statue was unveiled by the McNeill family, who appeared to be delighted by the likeness.
His daughter Susan McNeill said: "Dad would have been very humbled by all of this and delighted that his local community are going to benefit in the future.
"It makes us very proud of dad's local community."
Other Celtic notables in attendance included Lisbon Lions Jim Craig and John Clark and Pat Bonner, Danny McGrain and Frank McAvennie.
McNeill died in April 2019 at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The figure was created by Turnberry-based sculptor John McKenna whose previous commissions have included statues of former Celtic manager Jock Stein at Parkhead stadium and former AC/DC frontman, Bon Scott in his hometown of Kirriemuir.
He also created the statue of McNeill lifting the European Cup, which was unveiled at Celtic Park in 2015.
READ MORE: Celtic's Callum McGregor pays tribute to Billy McNeill as he backs honourary event
A spokesman for the Billy McNeill Commemoration Committee, which raised more than £80,000 for the statue said: “The boy from Abbotsford Place went on to be one of the most respected gentlemen in world football and will finally get the recognition that he has so earned and deserved in his boyhood town of Bellshill and Mossend.
“We hope Liz and family are pleased and proud.”
After the statue was unveiled, family and friends gathered in the town's Caesar's bar.
READ MORE: Billy McNeill fund to be launched to help ex-footballers battling dementia
Born on March 2 1940, Billy McNeill was signed by Celtic for £250 in 1957 after then reserve team coach Jock Stein saw him playing for Scotland schoolboys against England.
He captained Celtic to their European Cup victory in 1967 against Inter Milan and later spent two spells as the club’s manager.
As a player and manager, he won 31 major trophies with Celtic.
He was awarded an MBE in 1974 for services to the game.
The McNeills, who married in 1963, had four daughters – Susan, twins Carol and Libby, and Paula and son Martyn.
In 2020, a new charity was launched in the footballer's name to provide financial aid and therapeutic supports to former players affected by dementia.
McNeill died nine years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which his widow believes was linked to “his forte” of heading footballs during his playing days.
A Glasgow University study, which was led by neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart, found former footballers of Billy’s generation had a five-fold risk of Alzheimer’s.
Further research found the link was more pronounced among defenders, who are statistically most likely to head footballs.
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