Celtic icon John Clark dies aged 84 as tributes pour in for European Cup winner

Celtic have announced the death of club legend John Clark aged 84. Clark's prestigious career with Celtic saw him make over 300 appearances and win 15 major trophies, including six Scottish titles.

The defender was an integral part of the iconic Celtic team which became known as the 'Lisbon Lions'. In 1967 under Jock Stein, they became the first British club to lift the European Cup, now called the Champions League, after beating Italian giants Inter Milan 2-1.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers paid a heartfelt tribute to Clark by saying: "Greatness is a word people throw around, but for John Clark it is a very fitting tribute. John was instrumental in delivering our greatest day ever and his achievement is forever etched in Celtic’s proud history.

"John's continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players, managers and staff, including myself very much.

"To have him with us, as part of the club for so long has been a tremendous privilege for us all, it meant so much to us. Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club. I know John was loved so dearly by his family, by everyone at the club and our supporters. We will all miss him so much."

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Clark, who made his debut for Celtic in 1959, left to join Morton after 13 stellar years but returned to Parkhead at the end of his playing career to work in the academt. He then became assistant manager to Billy McNeil at Aberdeen and then back at Celtic.

He also took charge of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde. He later returned to Celtic for a third time, serving as their kit man for almost 20 years.

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell added in a statement: "John's passing represents a massive loss to his own family and of course a huge loss to the wider Celtic family. A very dear friend and colleague, John was actually a hero to me and so many others, someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team-mates with such grace and humility.

"That famous day in Lisbon, which John was such an integral part of, changed our club forever. Ever since, each player who has passed through our club has stood on the shoulders of giants and John was certainly one of those giants.

"John gave his life to Celtic both as a player and on our staff in a variety of his roles and his contribution to our great club over so many decades is immeasurable. John was a fantastic husband, father and grandfather. Such a warm, gentle, and unassuming man.

"It was an absolute privilege to have known John. Rightly he will forever be regarded as one of Celtic's greatest ever servants. He will be someone we will all miss so dearly and we send all our love, our thoughts and prayers to John's family."

Chief executive Michael Nicholson also commented: "I would like to offer all our sincere and heartfelt condolences to John’s family on such a sad day. In losing John, we have all lost a dear friend, such a fine man and someone who gave Celtic everything over such a long time.

"In a sense John was Celtic, on and off the pitch across so many years, contributing so much to our success at all times. While John was one of our greatest, he never saw himself as that, his own humility never allowing him to do so.

"The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. We will ensure that we give John's family every support at such a difficult time."

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