DAVIE HAY recollects the moment his time at Celtic came to an end.

 

And he remembers how the decision to leave the club he loved was effectively made for him.

Back in the mid Seventies Hay's dispute over a basic wage caused issues with the Parkhead board, with his resultant move to Chelsea bringing about the end of an era for the gifted midfielder.

And reflecting on the period, the SportTimes columnist said: "Sean Fallon wasn't involved in me leaving. It was Jock Stein.

"For a season or so I'd been in a dispute regarding my contract. Earlier on that year I'd asked for a transfer and I'd almost gone to Spurs. But because of one or two issues the move didn't materialise. I ended up going on strike, which was stupid.

"I then came back in and got playing again. I actually came back from a World Cup and changed my mind about playing with Celtic. I'd honestly decided to stay at the club.

"But at that time I met Big Jock and he decided it would be better that I move on.

"Looking back I did have a genuine change of heart but circumstances were such that I moved on.

"So I met Chelsea, and they accepted the transfer fee and I agreed to their terms."

He added: "It had been an ongoing thing and it became almost a point of principle for me looking for a specific basic wage. I don't want to go into the details too much but I thought my salary should have been higher.

"I felt that I merited it and that they could afford it, but Celtic wouldn't come along and agree to it.

Despite that, though, I was prepared to stay and maybe not dig my heels in as much regarding a contract. But Jock was that highly regarded, when he said he thought it was best for me to go it swayed my decision."

Looking back on his relationship with Sean Fallon, Hay said: "Sean didn't really have a part to play in things in my move away, although I had a lot of regard for him.

"During my career at Celtic he played a big part in the boys coming through the reserves with myself and the rest of the Quality Street kids.

"The best way to describe Sean is a really top Celtic man. He encapsulated everything that it meant to play for the club. He was an example of what you had to do to be a success at Parkhead."