Ultimate farewell at Celtic Park for Lisbon Lion John Clark

Mourners have gathered in Glasgow to mark the funeral of Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion John Clark.

Celtic invited fans to meet at Celtic Park to say a “final farewell to one of the club’s greatest ever servants”.

Clark, who died last week at the age of 84, won several major honours in more than 300 games for the Parkhead side.

His greatest achievement came in 1967, when Celtic defeated Inter Milan in Lisbon to become the first British team to lift the European Cup.

In a statement, Celtic said: “John Clark was a Lisbon Lion, a cornerstone of our greatest ever team and a dedicated servant to Celtic.

“We come together to honour his incredible legacy.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said: “John’s continued presence at Celtic across so many decades I know served as an absolute inspiration to so many players.

“Through his knowledge, his wisdom and his true love for Celtic, John has made such an important contribution to the club.”

The Scottish FA also paid tribute to Clark after a “glittering career”, having represented Scotland four times.

Clark’s funeral mass began at midday at St Mary’s Church in Glasgow’s Calton area.

Celtic owner Dermot Desmond and former players Roy Keane and Ian Wright were seen arriving for the funeral, as well as manager Brendan Rodgers and team captain Callum McGregor.

Portuguese flags hung from the balconies inside the church during a service that also heard the Celtic anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone played on the organ.

At the start of the mass, priest Father John Mulholland extended his sympathies to Clark’s widow, Eileen, his children Mairi and Martin, his three grandchildren and other family members.

He reflected on the legacy created by the Clark and his teammates from 1967.

“How many people would be able to name those 11 men without even thinking,” he said.

“They are second nature to all of us, simply because of what they did that afternoon.

“That immortality has gone with them for what is now nearly 60 years – wee boys at school can rhyme off the names of the Lisbon Lions.”

In a 25-minute eulogy, renowned Scottish football commentator Archie MacPherson hailed Clark as the “most modest and genial footballer” he had ever encountered.

The service was broadcast live for fans on the club’s YouTube channel and finished at about 13:45.

Afterwards the funeral cortege travelled down The Celtic Way outside the stadium in Parkhead.

Supporters and squad members applauded as the cortege drove up to Celtic Park and paused briefly outside the main entrance.

Celtic scarves had been tied to the metal fences and floral tributes were left outside the stadium.

Clark, who made his Celtic debut in 1959, served the club for over four decades.

He returned to Parkhead after his playing career to work in the youth set up.

Clark became assistant to Billy McNeil, his defensive partner during the quadruple-winning 1966-67 season, at Aberdeen then at Celtic.

He also managed Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and Clyde but again went back to Celtic, serving as kit man for almost 20 years.

Peter Lawwell, Celtic’s chairman, described Clark as a “very dear friend and colleague”.

“John was actually a hero to me and so many others,” he said. “Someone who achieved the greatest feat of all in club football but did so, along with his great team mates, with such grace and humility.”