Bertie Auld was quite simply a midfield genius and the lynchpin of Celtic's greatest team, Lisbon Lions.
Bertie was instrumental in Celtic winning their first league title for twelve years in 1966. By this time Stein had converted him from a winger to a deep lying midfield player and he struck up a great relationship with Bobby Murdoch.
In the summer of 1966 Celtic toured North America for six weeks and the Lisbon Lions were born. The following season Celtic were unstoppable and won every competition they entered. In September Celtic demolished Rangers by 2-0 at Parkhead with Murdoch and Auld scoring twice in the first four minutes to effectively end the game much to the delight of the watching Celtic supporters. In October 1966 Bertie created a wonderful goal for Bobby Lennox which won Celtic the League Cup against Rangers with a majestic 40 yard crossfield pass.
In the European Cup semi final first leg against Dukla Prague he fooled the Dukla defence with a short free kick which allowed Willie Wallace to thrash
home the vital third goal in a 3-1 win.
In the European Cup final against Inter, the most expensive team in the world, in Lisbon Bertie's performance was simply majestic as he and Murdoch took total control in midfield and he struck the bar after a run and shot in the first half. Bertie's experience was always vital to the Lions and in the closing minutes he took the ball into the corner, killing vital minutes as the Inter players strived to retain possession. He was absolutely magnificent and irrepressible as he simply ran the show in that final against Inter.
A week after Lisbon, Celtic travelled to Madrid for the great Alfredo Di Stefano's testimonial match. Celtic put on a great show winning 1-0 although Bertie was sent off after an altercation with Real's Amancio in front of a crowd of 120,000 fanatical Spaniards. Not a highlight, but didn't diminish the rest of the occasion.
He battled even in these non-competitive games.
In October 1969 he scored the winning goal against St Johnstone to give Celtic their fifth successive League Cup.
The Murdoch/Auld partnership was still one of the best in Europe and they proved it in 1969/70. In November Benfica were thumped 3-0 at Parkhead and in March the Italian champions, Fiorentina, were also beaten 3-0. In this game Bertie scored his only goal on the European stage, a superbly drilled low shot from the edge of the area.
In the European Cup semi final ties against Leeds, Murdoch and Auld were to hit their peak.
The much vaunted Leeds midfield pairing of Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles were blown away, particularly in the second leg at Hampden in front of an incredible 136,000 crowd with Celtic winning both legs 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Bertie was pictured after the Hampden game wearing a distinctive Fedora hat, celebrating with the fans. Sadly, Celtic could not carry this form into the final and they lost 2-1 to Feyenoord in Milan.
The 1970/71 season was Bertie's swansong at Parkhead. On January 16th 1971 Bertie was recalled to the side after a period of absence and inspired Celtic to an incredible 8-1 against a strong Dundee side at Dens Park. Many Celtic fans recall this as Celtic's finest display of the Stein years.
In March Bertie helped Celtic to 1-0 win over the great Cruyff inspired Ajax team but the lost out after going down 3-0 in Amsterdam. By the time Celtic had won their sixth title in a row in 1971, Bertie played his last game at Parkhead against Clyde in a 6-1 victory. After the game Bertie was carried off the park, shoulder high, by the Celtic players as the Parkhead crowd sang out his name. It was a fitting send off to a great, great Celtic player.
As a creative midfield genius there was no doubting his talent but he was a complete midfielder. He had the sheer pace and mazy dribbling skills of a winger(and played there in his early career), vision and technique of a playmaker and the tenacity of a fiery midfield terrier.
Bertie Auld is easily remembered with his distinctive running style, tousled jet black hair, and huge toothy grin. He had a reputation as a player as a supreme competitor as many will testify. Jack Charlton has often talked of his notorious '
black book' in which he keeps the names of those who have crossed him and it's claimed that Bertie Auld's name is first and foremost on that list.
When St Andrews played host to a fiery encounter between Birmingham winger Bertie Auld and Fulham's Johnny Haynes. Chris Ferns takes up the story: "If memory serves, Haynes fouled Auld, who was legendary for his temper, and was promptly knocked out in retaliation.
Auld then flattened another Fulham player who tried to intervene, rendering him unconscious as well. The upshot was that both Auld and Haynes were sent off, the latter via a stretcher."
In 1972 with Bertie at Hibs he came up against Nobby Stiles of Middlesbrough, an old foe from many years previously.
Stiles was injured after a clash with Bertie and never played again. Many Scottish players still have the memory of coming off second best against Bertie Auld.
Interesting anecdotes
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"
John Greig (Rangers): 'Whats your bonus?
Bertie Auld: "£5".
John Greig: "We're on £10."
Bertie Auld: "Ours is guaranteed."
Bertie Auld & John Greig ahead of a Celtic v Rangers game.
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)
Another reason why I was reluctant to vote against him, lest I be accused of skulduggery. He's managed to hog at least two players that would complete our side amongst his No. 10 grab-fest!
