In a week like this, with the European Cup final on Wednesday, does your mind always go back to when you won it with Celtic's Lisbon Lions in 1967?

On the night I might reflect back a bit but I'll be focussing on the game in front of me. I do think about it though. For example, last year I was on a golf course with Stevie Chalmers [who scored the winning goal in the 2-1 win over Internazionale] on the day of the European Cup final and we were amazed to think back that we too had played football at that level.

Looking back, what is your most vivid memory of that occasion?
There are too many things that happened at the game and on the day to have just one. Although I do remember well jumping into John Clark's arms when the final whistle went. In fact, we were at the Benfica-Celtic game and I gave John a cuddle on the centre circle again. I think he was embarrassed!

What have you done with your shirt from Lisbon, did you swap it?
I met Tarcisio Burgnich [Inter's right back] in the tunnel and swapped shirts with him. As this point the pitch was being swarmed by hundreds of people from the terraces and we'd had to make a run for it. What was particularly good was that I had stashed the shirt I had worn in the first half in my bag earlier. So I was able to take away two priceless souvenirs from the day.

European Cup, or Champions League?
To make it a valid tournament, I think that only teams that win the league should be able to enter. It's a great tournament but the spectacle of the Champions League is fantastic and something I always enjoy.

Is it harder, or easier, to win now? Why?
It has always been a hard tournament to win! The only thing I would say is that I think with the European Cup, a bad night could put you out but with the Champions League you do get another chance.

What do you think of the current Celtic team?
They've been great over the last two seasons - winning two Championships and qualifying for the last 16 in the Champions League. The team that put us out of it are in the final.

What is your most vivid memory of Jock Stein?
I've got hundreds of vivid memories of Jock Stein. I feel proud that I was the only guy who was there the whole time when Jock was in charge. On his first Saturday back at the Park after his car crash I scored a hat-trick against Dundee [in a 4-0 victory] and it was good to see him smiling again at full-time.

Your book indicates that under Stein, wives were made unwelcome on matchday. How and why?
Big Jock thought we were at work. Plumbers and joiners don't take their wives to work so why should footballers? [My wife] Kathryn went to all the big games though and sat in the stand with my brothers. I'd meet them all in the car park an hour or so after the game.

Stein was not keen on alcohol either, was he? How did he check if players were really drinking coke? He'd occasionally stroll in to wherever the guys were and take a sip of whatever someone was having. But the boys knew not to drink in front of the manager.

Would Jock be as successful in the modern era, with agents and millionaire players?
He ruled with an iron fist. It was his way or no way. But Sir Alex Ferguson has come from that perspective too and done magnificently so there is no reason why Big Jock wouldn't have done as well.

You won the European Bronze Boot, for being the third highest goalscorer, in 1967-68. Did you get your award at a big presentation? There was a big presentation that I wasn't at. A Celtic director went along unbeknown to me and collected it. I didn't even know at the time I had won it. The next night it was presented to me at a pre-match dinner.

In your book you mention the Lions having a reunion in London, walking into a restaurant, then all walking out after seeing the prices on the menu. Are you envious of modern players' wealth?
I have had a great career - played with great teams and worked with great managers. I also have a very happy home life. Would I like more money? Who wouldn't? But I wouldn't swap my experiences and memories for anything.

You played in the States, at Houston, in 1978, and keep in touch with the Celtic supporters' club. Do you think David Beckham will transform the game there? I had a great season in Houston. I was very happy there. In fact the supporters' club in Houston is named after me and Kathryn and I are invited out every year for the Christmas party. David Beckham is a wonderful player and people will want to watch him. But I found in America that people are only happy with winners. If the LA team don't do something fantastic in the first couple of years who knows what will happen to them.

Should Celtic and Rangers join the English Premiership? It would be great if they could. But does the Premiership need us? Could Scottish football do without us?
I think it would be great to play Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and all those teams every week but...

Gretna, a wonderful romantic story, or too small a club to be in the SPL? A wonderful romantic story and they deserve to be where they are and to enjoy the success they have had. The results prove that they were the best in their league.

Scottish football does not seem to produce as many talented young players as in previous generations. Do you agree, and if so, why?
I do agree and I think there are a few reasons. The influx of mediocre foreign players (although there are a few great ones), other things for kids to do, the fact that parents don't feel that they can leave the kids up the park by themselves, kids can't play in the street as they used to and teachers don't get so involved in extracurricular activities. It's a changed world.

Will Scotland qualify for Euro 2008?
They've had a great start and are in a better position now than we thought they could have been in. And I'm quite sure the the coaches, Alec McLeish and Roy Aitken, will do everything in their power to see that the team is prepared. And I'd like to wish the team all the best for the campaign.

Who will win the Champions League?
Liverpool who were fourth [in the Premiership] last year or Milan who weren't in the competition at the start? I've got mixed feelings but I'm looking forward to watching the game.