LISBON LION Jim Craig didn’t exactly hit the headlines when he made his first-team debut for Celtic SIXTY years ago today.

The cultured right-back got the nod from Jock Stein to play in the second leg of the European Cup-Winners’ Cup-tie against Dutch club Go Ahead Deventer on October 7 1965.

The Hoops had won the first leg 6-0 in the Netherlands in which top-side regular Ian Young had occupied the No.2 berth.

Craig, now a sprightly 82, told Alex Gordon for the author’s book, ‘Celtic: The Awakening‘: “I still chuckle when I look back at the day I made my first appearance.

“I remember it well. Big Jock, as thoughtful as ever, had a habit of selecting games in which younger players could get a chance without too much pressure on them and he chose well in this one with Celtic six goals ahead.

PRIZE GUY…Jim Craig played his role in Celtic’s silverware success in the sixties.

“The evening before the home tie, I was told I would be playing. I was twenty-two-years-old at the time and still doing my dentistry studies while playing part-time. Excited? You can bet on it. I will always remember waiting for...