1967 European Cup win makes Jock Stein greatest Scots manager of all time, says Lou Macari

CELTIC will unveil a statue in Jock Stein's memory before they play Hamilton at Parkhead this afternoon.


But Lou Macari insists the club - and the country - are about four decades too late with their recognition.

The quickest way to start an argument is to ask fans who the greatest Scottish manager of all time is.

Macari, who owed his career as a player and manager to Big Jock, knows his answer and all those years at Manchester United haven't influenced his decision.

The 61-year-old said: "I regard Celtic's win in the European Cup Final against Inter Milan in 1967 as the greatest managerial triumph in history.

"So I would have no hesitation in saying that makes Jock the greatest of them all.

"I'm well aware of Sir Alex Ferguson's record at Aberdeen and Old Trafford - and I don't forget the great Bill Shankly at Liverpool. But I see Big Jock at every turn.

"He hasn't been given the recognition he deserves from the country or the club he immortalised in Lisbon all those years ago."

Macari was an Ayrshire schoolboy destined to be part of the side Stein would construct to replace the Lisbon Lions when he first encountered the man who would become his father figure at Celtic Park.

And his instant recollection is of the fear he felt when Stein was in his vicinity.

Macari said: "I was frightened of him - there's no shame in saying that. The word itself is an understatement. I was terrified of him.

"I'll be going to see Liverpool play Manchester United this weekend and that will evoke all sorts of memories of Jock.

"I can see the disciplinarian that Stein was in Sir Alex's demeanour. I also see the same level of dedication to the game.

"And I see Kenny as an example of the way Jock instilled virtues in his players that gave them lengthy careers.

"I didn't understand why I had to go to my bed at nine o'clock in the evening when Celtic were at Seamill to prepare for a big game.

"I didn't know why I wasn't allowed to drink Coca-Cola. I didn't even understand why I was chosen to start a Scottish Cup Final against Rangers and ended up scoring one of the goals that won Celtic the trophy.

"But, on all of those counts, the manager was a better judge than me. Jock was years ahead of his time when it came to looking after players' bodies.

"He had little in the way of resources but built a team then he took them to stage where they outlasted Inter Milan.

"I don't think even Sir Alex would disagree that the game in 1967 was the greatest achievement by any manager from Britain.

"It wasn't until I moved from Celtic Park to Old Trafford that I understood how much Jock had meant to my career. A genius.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him properly appreciated in stone outside Celtic Park."