This week saw the death of one of the Celtic greats in John ‘Yogi’ Hughes.
After the arrival of Jock Stein in 1965, Yogi was one of the players that helped transform Celtic from a club in disarray into European Champions within two years.
Although he never got the chance to appear in the European Cup Final in Lisbon due to injury, Hughes certainly played his part that season in helping the Lisbon Lions create history.
He did, however, score in the 1970 European Cup semi-final over Leeds United which Celtic won 2-1 but could not help the club to a victory in the final, falling 2-1 at the last hurdle against Feyenoord.
Many have paid tribute to the legend, including his former club Crystal Palace, and journalist Hugh Keevins had his say on the big man on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
Keevins was close to all the Lisbon Lions and spoke of Yogi in simple, but glowing terms, “First chance I have had to say something about Big John since his sad death.
“He was part of my childhood.
“He signed for Celtic in 1959 and was in the team by 1960.
“And the only way I can sum him up quickly, he had the physique of a heavyweight boxer and he had the feet of a tap dancer.
“He was delicacy and destruction. He was a terrific player.”
It was a tribute said with affection for a man that holds a place close to Keevins and the hearts of the Celtic fans.
We all at Vital Celtic would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of John.
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just home from holiday to read about sad passing of yogi rip