This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the announcement that Jock Stein was Celtic-bound to take over the managerial reins from Jimmy McGrory.

It would be the most successful appointment in the history of the club, with Stein winning respect throughout the Continent by making Celtic the first British team to win the European Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in Lisbon, as well as winning an unprecedented nine-in-a-row domestic titles.

The legend of Stein continues to loom large at the club, and his success will never be replicated.

Former Celtic player and manager Davie Hay believes that if Stein was still around today he would pay little heed to the drama that surrounds Rangers going into tomorrow's meeting in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

"I think I know exactly what he would say; win the game," said Hay. "His advice would be very simple - it is a game with Celtic playing Rangers and the only way to come out of it is with a win.

"He wouldn't care about anything other than the football, and how Celtic were going to go about winning the game. It was always about playing football, about winning."

Hay had the honour of being signed by Stein as a schoolboy and recalls the influence the gigantic personality had throughout the club.

"I was one of the first players Jock signed, albeit that I was just a kid at the time," said Hay.

"I had been at Celtic for a while as a schoolboy and it was Jock who offered me my first professional contract with the club.

"What can you say about Jock? He was a massive personality, very formidable. What he achieved with Celtic was remarkable. It was a shining period, the most successful time in the club's history.

"You cannot imagine the success he enjoyed will ever be emulated again.

"It is extraordinary to me that it was 50 years ago now. What he achieved in his time as manager is still revered to this day, which says everything."