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Bertie Auld was a midfield genius.

The Maryhill-born player would enjoy two spells at Parkhead during an honour packed career which would see Bertie establish himself as one of the most popular characters in Celtic history.

Signed in April 1955 from Maryhill Harp, the boyhood Partick Thistle fan would be loaned out to Dumbarton before making his first team debut for the Hoops in a 1-0 Charity Cup defeat at Rangers on May 1st 1957.

The youngster was tenacious and talented, combining great vision and touch with speed and aggression. It was however that latter quality which would lead to Bertie’s exit from the club in May 1961.

Despite the player’s undoubted ability Auld had a temper which he was too seldom able to contain. When faced with a hint of provocation or confrontation Bertie would bite back and he regularly found himself battling opponents and the football authorities.

Celtic chairman Bob Kelly frowned on Auld’s antics and despite Bertie’s talent he decided enough was enough and the player was sold to Birmingham. Thankfully for Celtic fans this was only to be an interlude in the tale of Bertie the Bhoy.

Coach Sean Fallon remained a keen admirer of Bertie and was desperate for the player to return to Parkhead. Bob Kelly was fond of Fallon and so allowed himself to be persuaded in to allowing Auld to return to the fold in January 1965. Auld set about repaying the faith shown in him by Fallon and Kelly almost immediately. The Bertie who had returned from England retained all the qualities he had previously demonstrated in the Hoops – but he was now a wiser and more mature individual. The fire was still there, but Bertie had learnt that the best way to retaliate was with the football.

Within months of returning to Glasgow Auld had netted twice in the Scottish Cup final to help give new Celtic boss his first honour with a 3-2 triumph over Dunfermline. That was only the beginning.

Bertie, alongside Bobby Murdoch, would provide the heartbeat of the side that conquered Europe and swept the boards in Scotland in 1967. He could pass, he could tackle, he could defend and he could attack. Bertie loved a battle but he was so much more than a stereotypical midfield terrier. Auld could play. His vision was sublime and his passing pinpoint. He could unlock a defence with the deftest of touches and he could surge upfield before taking out the entire defence with an inch perfect pass.

He would be released by Celtic in April 1971 and after a brief spell at Hibernian went on to manage Partick Thistle. Bertie remains a hugely popular character among the Celtic support. He always has time for the ordinary fan and loves nothing more than retelling tales from the Parkhead glory years. A pundit for Celtic TV Bertie Auld is and always will be a Celtic legend.

Pictures

• Picture Gallery

Articles

• Bertie Auld - Q&A (Evening Times)

Quotes
Bertie to Tiny Wharton(Referee) - "If I call you an a*sehole Mr Wharton will I get booked?"
Tiny. - "Yes Mr Auld. You'd be in trouble."
Bertie.- "What if I just thought you were an a*sehole, what would happen?"
Tiny. - "If you just thought it nothing would happen"
Bertie. - "Well Mr Wharton, I think you're an a*sehole"


On being asked how the (at that time, current) Rangers team that went on to win nine in a row, would fair if they were to play a match against the Lions, Bertie replied "if I'm honest I think it would be a draw, but to be fair most of us are in our sixties"

Bertie Auld to Jim Brogan:
"Jim what was your favourite moment in football,scoring the winning goal against the Rangers or carrying the hamper for the Lisbon Lions?"

At a Q & A at a function at our CSC, when asked "Exactly how hard did you hit that guy in Montevideo..??" Bertie Auld said something like "I'm fae Glasgow, son. How hard dae ye think I hit him...???" (on infamous game v Racing Club of Argentina, World Club Championship 1967)