Hay: I won't forget my wee pal and Celtic legend Jinky

The man voted the greatest ever Celtic player is sadly no longer with us and I can't believe it is eight years since he passed away after a long battle with Motor Neurone.

Jinky was taken from us far too early and I am sure many fans would have had thought of him yesterday.

Legend is used too often in football these days but that is the only way to describe Jimmy Johnstone.

It is amazing how time flies. It only seems like yesterday that I was playing alongside him for Celtic.

I have many good memories of Jimmy on and off the park, as will all the Celtic fans who met him and saw him in action.

His wife Agnes and my wife Catherine are cousins so we had that relationship away from football as well.

Over the years I got to know him really well and enjoyed spending time in his company.

When I first broke into the Celtic side I played right back and was playing behind him, so we had that relationship on the park.

It was a joy to be able to see him in full flow.

Some of the things he could do with the ball were just unbelievable.

When I went to the World Cup, I roomed with him for five weeks. We had a lot of good times together and it is so sad that he is not around now.

Jimmy may be gone but he is not forgotten.

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