CELTIC LEGENDS COUNTDOWN 35-31

Our writers have been counting down the 50 players from both sides they reckon deserve to be called Celtic and Rangers legends.

And we've been inundated with comments from supporters reaching across the city's footballing divide keen to have their say on which stars should be immortalised in the Old Firm hall of fame.

It's day four of our poll and puts the case for another batch of players to have graced the light blue of Rangers.

Let us know who you think should be a Celtic legend at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk...

35 WILLIE FERNIE

The Celtic Years: 1948/49-1959/59 and 1960/61-1961/62.

Appearances: 317.

Career highlight: The significant part he played in the club's 1954 League and Cup double.

Show us your medals: One League title; two Scottish Cups; two League Cups

So what makes you a legend? In his two spells at Parkhead – split by two seasons at Middlesbrough as Brian Cough's support act – Fernie plundered 74 goals and proved to be the kind of player who could excite, thrill, entertain, and deliver an end product.

His ability to run with the ball, dribbling skills and powerful shot marked him out as an opponent's nightmare and manager's dream.

Fernie was utilised in various positions across the attack and in midfield, and seldom failed to make an impact. An intelligent player, he thought about the game and how he could impact upon it.

This was never better shown than in the 1957 7-1 League Cup final annihilation of Rangers, which he concluded by scoring the last goal from the penalty spot.

Jock Stein thought enough of his former team-mate to appoint him to his backroom staff when he took over as manager.

34 BERTIE PEACOCK

The Celtic Years: 1949/50-1960/61.

Appearances: 453.

Medals: One League title; two Scottish Cups; two League Cups.

Career highlight: Peacock was in his element as he helped Celtic defeat Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 League Cup Final.

So what makes you a legend? Celtic's line-up of the 1950s was enough to strike fear into the heart of any opponent with huge characters, including Bobby Evans, Jock Stein and Charlie Tully.

Bertie Peacock may have been small in comparison to those standing alongside him, hence the nickname, The Little Ant.

But, like any Peacock, when he wanted to strut his stuff, everyone stood back and admired.

His 50 goals and link-up play with Tully ahead of him made him a key component of a side which added the Coronation Cup in 1953 to a trophy haul which many felt should have been greater.

The Northern Ireland and Great Britain international – a plumber to trade – was very much a man of the people.

Unheralded, he thought nothing of taking wide-eyed kids from the primary school adjacent to Celtic Park for training sessions on a Saturday morning before heading into the stadium to star on the big stage.

33 ROY AITKEN

The Celtic Years: 1975/76-1989/90.

Appearances: 667.

Career highlight: Scoring the opening goal and leading his side to victory against Rangers in May 1979, the night 10 men won the League.

Show us your medals: Six League titles; five Scottish Cups; one League Cup.

So what makes you a legend? Robert Roy Aitken – Shirley to those brave enough, borne of his chock of curly hair – was the genuine child protege.

Jock Stein had to write letters to his headmaster seeking permission for him to miss classes – including concert piano, in which he excelled – because he was needed to play for Celtic's first team.

His wholehearted approach to every game made him a fans' favourite, and cries of 'Feed the Bear' resonated around Parkhead any time the Hoops needed a goal.

Aitken could play in any position, and was an inspirational leader long before he was handed the captaincy.

He led the club to the Centenary double in 1988, and played for another three years before moving to Newcastle amidst a public spat with a hyper-critical journalist.

Some fans felt he had let the club down by this decision, but nothing can detract from the contribution he made.

32 JOHN CLARK

The Celtic Years: 1958/59-1970/71.

Appearances: 318.

Career highlight: Snuffing out the threat from Inter Milan in the 1967 European Cup Final.

Show us your medals: One European Cup; three League titles; two Scottish Cups; four League Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Without his calming influence and intelligent covering play, Billy McNeill would not have been the towering defender he was for Celtic.

Without McNeill's contribution, the Celtic side of the mid-1960s would not have been the best team in Europe.

Luggie, as he is still affectionately known, was one of the most under-rated players in the Lisbon Lions side – but not by his team-mates nor Jock Stein.

It was Stein who saw the contribution former 'Kelly Kid' Clark could make as a partner for McNeill in a back four, and the switch for the former wing-half soon paid huge dividends.

Despite his contribution to the greatest era in Celtic's rich history, Luggie remains the most humble of individuals as he goes about his daily tasks in charge of the current team's kit.

31 GEORGE CONNELLY

The Celtic Years: 1967/68-1976/77.

Appearances: 254.

Career highlight: Scoring the winning goal to cap a superb performance in the 1970 European Cup semi-final victory over Leeds at Elland Road.

Show us your medals: Four League titles; five Scottish Cups.

So what makes you a legend?: He had the ability to become the next Franz Beckenbaeur – yet turned his back on the glare of the senior game and sought refuge playing for Sauchie Juniors.

Connelly's rise and fall demanded the word enigma be redefined, and anyone who was fortunate enough to see him play is still wondering why it all went so horribly wrong.

Jock Stein tried everything to keep Connelly in love with the game.

But, after a series of walk-outs and returns, it all proved to be too much for the then-26-year-old to handle and he exited stage left.

Connelly's insecurity with his team-mates was at odds with the confidence he displayed on the field.

As a 16 year-old, he had entertained the Parkhead crowd at the interval of a European tie with his superb keepy-uppy skills.

By 20, he was scoring vital goals and earning a reputation around the world, his poise and power the perfect package.

But the demons were already hard at work and, soon after close pal Davie Hay left for Chelsea, Connelly walked away for the final time to drive taxis.

Your shout

Now it's your turn to let us know what you think about our Celtic legends. Get in touch with us online by emailing us at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk and we'll give you the chance to have your say on the famous 50.

Tomorrow: the Celtic players ranked 30-26

Celtic Legends Countdown 40 - 36

Celtic Legends Countdown 45 - 41

Celtic Legends Countdown 50 - 46

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