BOSSES from Celtic Football Club have paid tribute to Lisbon Lion Stevie Chalmers after his death at the age of 83. 

The club's chief executive Peter Lawwell led in his comments on the scorer of the famous goal which won the 1967 European Cup in Portugal. 

Chalmers' death comes just days after that of his team-mate and friend, Lisbon Lion captain, Billy McNeill.

Writing on the club's website, Peter Lawwell said: “This is such terrible news, and on behalf of the club, I would first of all like to pass on my condolences to Stevie’s wife, Sadie, their children, Stephen, Carol, Paul, Ann, Martin, Clare, and their grandchildren.

“Stevie was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this desperately sad time.

“This is a particularly devastating time for the Celtic Family, with the passing of Stevie Chalmers coming so soon after his friend and former team-mate, Billy McNeill. My condolences also go to the Lisbon Lions, already mourning the loss of their captain, and now grieving the death of another one of their own.

“Stevie Chalmers was a Celtic legend, and one of the greatest goalscorers this club has ever seen. Indeed, only three other legends in Jimmy McGrory, Henrik Larsson and Stevie’s close friend, Bobby Lennox, have scored more goals.

READ MORE: Celtic's Lisbon Lion Stevie Chalmers dead

“However, there is only one man who is able to lay claim to having scored the most important goal in Celtic’s 131-year history, and that man is Stevie Chalmers.

“When Stevie steered the ball home with just five minutes of the game remaining in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional to put Celtic 2-1 ahead of Inter Milan, he ensured that Celtic created football history as the first British team to win the European Cup.

“It also guaranteed his place amongst the pantheon of Celtic greats, forever loved and revered by supporters of all generations.

“Yet, whenever I was lucky enough to meet Stevie over the years, his humility gave little indication of his incredible accomplishments as a player, which saw him win four league titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups and, of course, the European Cup, in the course of scoring 231 goals in 403 appearances in the green and white Hoops.

“Like his team-mates, he remained a quiet, humble man, happiest in the company of his fellow Lions and his fellow Celtic supporters.

“These are the saddest of days for Celtic supporters, and the wider football world, as we mourn Stevie Chalmers’ passing and send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

“Though as we do, we also remember everything Stevie Chalmers did for Celtic Football Club, and in particular, that special day of May 25, 1967 when Stevie scored his historic goal.”

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Others from the club have shared their condolences with the striker's loved ones. 

Celtic chairman Ian Bankier said: “Our thoughts are with Stevie’s wife, Sadie, and their family, at this desperately sad time.

“We all mourn his passing, and it is another devastating loss, following so soon after Billy McNeill’s death.

“Stevie and Billy, along with the rest of their team-mates, achieved extraordinary success in the green and white Hoops, and it was Stevie who ensured that already great players became Celtic legends.

“That goal in the Estadio Nacional is the most famous and important in our history, and it still gives every fan goosebumps whenever we see it again.

“Meeting Stevie was always a genuine pleasure as a supporter, and while always aware of everything he did for our football club, it was his humility which always stood out.

“We will always be thankful for Stevie’s incredible contribution to Celtic as we also offer our support to his family at this time.”

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