Bertie Auld, one of the few managers to win league title with Hibs, diagnosed with dementia

Messages of support have been sent to former Celtic player and Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld after the Parkhead side announced he is suffering from dementia.
Bertie Auld arrives at Easter Road in 1980 to take the managerial reins at his former clubBertie Auld arrives at Easter Road in 1980 to take the managerial reins at his former club
Bertie Auld arrives at Easter Road in 1980 to take the managerial reins at his former club

The 83-year-old was part of Jock Stein’s legendary Hoops line-up that became the first British club to lift the European Cup with victory over Internazionale in Portugal in 1967.

Auld won five league titles, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups over two stints at Celtic Park.

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The club said in a statement: "Bertie Auld's family would like all Celtic fans and football fans in general to keep Bertie in their prayers as they confirmed today that he is suffering with dementia.

Auld pictured during his player-trainer stint with the Easter Road sideAuld pictured during his player-trainer stint with the Easter Road side
Auld pictured during his player-trainer stint with the Easter Road side

"The family would like to thank everyone for their huge support and request privacy during this difficult time.

"Bertie is being well cared for at his own home, surrounded by all the family.

"Everyone at Celtic would like to add their best wishes to Bertie and his family. Bertie is a true Celtic icon, one of our greatest sons and someone the club and our supporters love and respect dearly.

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"We will continue to give Bertie and his family all our love, care and our ongoing full support at this hugely challenging time."

Auld and the Hibs team pose with the First Division trophy at Easter RoadAuld and the Hibs team pose with the First Division trophy at Easter Road
Auld and the Hibs team pose with the First Division trophy at Easter Road

While synonymous with Celtic, and having had spells with Dumbarton on loan in 1956 and Birmingham City between 1961 and 1965, where he won the League Cup and reached the final of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Auld finished his playing career at Hibs where he combined duties on the pitch with a trainer role off it, scoring three goals in 16 appearances before focusing solely on his off-field position.

He left to manage Partick Thistle in 1974, leading them to a First Division title in 1975/76 and earning a place in the club’s hall of fame, but returned to Edinburgh as Hibs boss in 1980, tasked with succeeding Willie Ormond and reviving the club following their relegation.

Auld led the Capital club to 24 wins in 39 games, conceding just 24 goals along the way, to ensure a swift return to the top flight.

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Chairman Tom Hart had promised the squad a tour of America and the Caribbean if they won promotion but a one-off game in Nigeria in April 1981 was called off by the manager.

Auld led Hibs to sixth on their return to the top flight but was replaced by former Easter Road team-mate and fellow ex-Celtic player Pat Stanton before the start of the 1982/83 season.

He went on to have a short stint as manager at Hamilton Accies before returning to Maryhill in 1986 for another spell as Jags boss, with his final management role coming in 1988 when he took charge of Dumbarton in January 1988.

Auld is one of just six managers to win a league title while at Hibs, joining Dan McMichael – de facto manager when the Easter Road side won the Scottish Cup and league in 1902 and 1903 respectively – Hugh Shaw, Bobby Templeton, Alex McLeish, and Neil Lennon, with the latter three winning second-tier titles.

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