I am still in the habit of buying a programme on my frequent visits to Parkhead. For £2.50 it is not especially good value for money but old habits die hard.

The programme vendor I buy from is situated near  the steps to the bus park, He has been selling them for years and it struck me recently that his old pitch used to be under the old bridge over London Road, which was an old landmark sadly no longer with us. Each time I buy a programme from him his friendly demeanour cheers me up as he represents the Celtic I once knew from days long gone by.

For younger readers the bridge was at the bottom of the current car park, adjacent to the back of the new superstore. This old bridge provided shelter for us over many years but also gave opportunity to mad Huns to climb on it and throw bottles at all and sundry after a frequent Rangers’ Parkhead defeat.

The bridge was demolished in 1983 and the following poem was printed in the Celtic View at that time which is worth recalling:

For many a year I stood

I carried many a load

Across the way from Celtic Park

The bridge o’er London Road

And when the fans approached me

They all would raise their eyes

They knew when they came near me

They were close to Paradise

And I’ve seen every manager

From Maley to McStay

McGrory, Stein and now McNeill

The men who led the way

The players’ names all are legion

They strived with all their might

To bring honour, fame and glory

To the colours green and white

Kelly, Tully, Crum, Delaney

They fought through thick and thin

King Kenny, Tommy McInally

Peerless Patsy, Jimmy Quinn

McGrory of the golden head

John Thomson’s regal grace

Napoleon, Jinky, Yogi

The McPhails and the McStays

I’ve seen thousands gather

In the year of sixty seven

When came forth the European Cup

With the fans in seventh heaven

The Exhibition trophy

On their sideboard they can show

Likewise the Coronation

And nine League flags in a row.

Today you’ll never walk alone

The fans will loudly sing

As they cheer McGrain and Nicholas

Burns and Provan on the wing

So now my task is over

I’ve carried my last load

Good luck, thanks for the memories

Hail and farewell !

From the bridge o’er London Road

I was long an advocate of building a statue in memory of the great Jock Stein. Years ago I would argue with friends that it should be one of him holding the European Cup and on European nights it could be lit up and be seen shining from Bridgeton Cross.

On Saturday Eddie and the Human Torpedo were at Parkhead for big Jock’s statue unveiling. They were kind enough to invite me but I couldn’t get along for the ceremony which was disappointing as this was to be a fine occasion when the Celtic family all came together.

When I got to the game with Junior we had a look at the new monument. It sits in perfect symmetry with Brother Walfrid and Jinky and we now have a truly impressive entrance to the stadium.  Someone commented that the statues are now Celtic’s ‘Holy Trinity’ which seems quite fitting.

It struck me that Jock represents the great Celtic past and that Junior alongside me represents the Celtic future. Stein’s legend will long live on in the hearts of Celtic supporters and for my Bhoy and future generations those statues will become popular landmarks and meeting places just as the old bridge was to us years ago.

The Celtic board have received a great deal of criticism recently, not least from me. However, on this occasion they are to be congratulated as that statue is truly magnificent.

They really have done the ‘Big Man’ justice. Well done to all.