Celtic pay homage to Stein

Celtic will this afternoon break with tradition, as they again honour their greatest manager. Today is the 20th anniversary of Jock Stein's death in the dugout at Cardiff's Ninian Park as he presided over Scotland in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Wales.

The Parkhead club will host a minute's applause before their match with Aberdeen as fans unveil a banner in his memory with members of Stein's 1967 European Cup-winning team, the "Lions of Lisbon", looking on.

Tales of Stein's remarkable character, talent and success have taken their place in Scottish football folklore and history.

Gordon Strachan was a member of that Scotland team in Cardiff and while the hurt of the night's events as Stein died from a heart attack after a 1-1 draw remains, Celtic's current manager will be eternally grateful to have worked under the man who is regarded as a gift to Scotland's game.

"He was a man with presence, and a man who you knew was a legend," said Strachan. "Sometimes when you meet legends, you are a little disappointed - but that was never the case with Jock. When he walked into a room, the room filled with Jock Stein.

"He could say the simplest of things to make you think, and made great decisions as a manager. I blank the night in Cardiff out, it's not something I try to think about. I think about all the conversations I had with him instead."

In fact, Stein's last decision as Scotland manager was to substitute Strachan, replacing him with Davie Cooper, who scored the equalising penalty which sent Scotland to a play-off with Australia and eventually to the Mexico World Cup.

Stein's success as Celtic manager was unparalleled as the club became the first British side to win the European Cup in the midst a run of nine league titles in a row.

His Midas touch had been in evidence previously when Stein took on his first managerial role at relegation-bound Dunfermline and guided them to six wins in succession, preserving their place in the Scottish First Division. Next season, the Pars lifted their first silverware, the Scottish Cup, under Stein.

One of a remarkable group of managers from the coal-mining areas of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire which included Matt Busby and Bill Shankly, Stein gave hope and inspiration to the many Scots who went on to enjoy success on the pitch through the 1960s and '70s, not least in England.