Fifty years on, Jock Stein's arrival at Celtic remains a key point in my memory

I can remember the first time I met the great man. So, I should - he gave me my first contract with the club that night.

I'd been training a couple of evenings a week, after school.

There were about 40 or 50 of us.

But when Jock took over, he decided there were too many kids, so he arranged for some trial games to be played.

I was actually late for mine because my dad had to wait for me to finish my classes in Paisley before he could get me to the game.

But Jock must have liked what he saw because I was put on a provisional form right away.

From the start of his time at the club, you knew it was going to be different.

The biggest change was the training, and his methods would stand scrutiny even to this day.

We were all exceptionally fit because Jock was not only a great manager, but also an excellent sports scientist, dietician and psychologist.

That allowed his players to go on and win the biggest prize of all, the European Cup, as well as two Trebles on their way to nine-in-a-row.

He is still regarded by many as the greatest Scottish manager we have ever known.

I happen to believe that accolade has now been taken by Sir Alex Ferguson for what he achieved at Aberdeen then Manchester United.

But if you asked Fergie, he would tell you I'm wrong - it's Jock.

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