Celtic have paid a moving tribute to club legend Tommy Callaghan after his passing at the age of 78.
The midfielder was a favourite among supporters in a post-Lisbon Lions world as he was signed by Jock Stein in the wake of the 1967 triumph in Milan. The elegant midfielder was Celtic’s record signing, a £35,000 purchase from Dunfermline in November 1968 and the only player ever signed twice by Stein. Callaghan was adored at the Pars and is regarded as a club legend at both East End Park and Celtic Park.
Born in Cowdenbeath, he was a Celtic fan and a miner who struck gold when he forged a partnership with mentor Stein that yielded six league winners’ medals, four Scottish Cup badges (one with the Pars) and two League Cup gongs.
Unsurprisingly, it took him a couple of seasons to fully settle into a team of legends, their reputations forged in Lisbon, but in eight years at Celtic he represented the club 284 times, scoring 33 goals.
He played for the Hoops for eight years between 1968 and 1976 and was part of the team that clinched the club’s first nine-in-a-row run of titles.
He also enjoyed spells at Hibernian and San Antonio in America. He returned to play for Clydebank before a stint at Galway Rovers. A club statement read: “We are saddened to hear that former player, Tommy Callaghan passed away early this morning at the age of 78. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic FC are with his friends and family at this sad time. Rest in peace, Tommy,”