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The magnificent Jimmy 'Napoleon' McMenemy ranks among the greatest of Celtic figures.

Signed from Rutherglen Glencairn in June 1902 he made a scoring debut in a 3-0 league victory at Port Glasgow on November 22nd. It was an impressive first outing for the inside-left but few could have guessed that this match was the start of a special relationship which would last for the best part of two decades.

An abundently talented footballer with the vision and intelligence to dictate a game McMeneny was nicknamed Napoleon and he marshall the Celtic forward line which bossed Scottish football for a generation.

Quick feet, a good header of the ball and an excellent passer McMenemy was a major player in the Celtic side which won 10 championships in just 12 years, He possesed an astute tactical aware which when coupled with his talent with the ball allowed him to control and dictate games. He was also a calm and collected figure, able to keep his head in the heat of the most ferocious battle.

His intelligent scheming led to the downfall of rivals on a weekly basis as Willie Maley's Celtic developed into an all conquering football superpower. McMenemy's combination of brain and brawn made him the most formidable of opponent for any defence. This was typified in the match against Rangers on Ne'erday 1914 when McMenemy cleverly dribbled around five men before smashing the ball high into the goal.

Although he temporarily retired for one season in 1918 Napoleon returned to the Bhoys the next summer to a rapturous welcome from fans and he stayed at Parkhead until June 1920 when he moved to Partick Thistle. While with the Bhoys he played 456 times and scored 168 goals in winning 10 Championships and 6 Scottish Cups. He was also on the coaching staff at Celtic Park between 1935 and 1940.

Quite simply a Celtic legend.