Campaign to fund a statue for Lisbon Lion Jim Craig is officially launched

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The Celtic Star

·25 de marzo de 2026

Campaign to fund a statue for Lisbon Lion Jim Craig is officially launched

Jim Craig was joined by former Celtic stars Frank McAvennie and Peter Grant at Grace’s earlier today for the launch of a campaign to build a statue for the Lisbon Lion in Govan, where the Lisbon Lion grew up…

Jim Craig was helping to launch a campaign to build a statue in Govan where he spent his early years growing up at the Glasgow Irish Centre. Photo social media

The campaign by the Jim Craig Govan Foundation was launched today with the objective being to erect a statue of Scottish football legend Jim Craig in Govan. Chairman of The Jim Craig Govan Foundation, Matt McGlone, delivered a presentation of the Foundation’s aims and was joined by sculptor John McKenna.

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May 21st 2017, Celtic Park, ; Scottish Premiership Celtic FC vs Hearts; Tom Boyd, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace stand behind the trophy Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The 82-year-old Celtic legend got arguably the most important assist in Celtic’s illustrious unbroken history when he squared the ball from right to left at the edge of the Inter Milan penalty area in the European Cup Final for Tommy Gemmell to score the Celtic equaliser. The Celts went onto win 2-1 with Stevie Chalmers getting the winning in the closing stages.

Ex Celtic player and Lisbon Lion Jim Craig is seen during the Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Jim Craig made 231 appearances for Celtic, winning seven league titles, four Scottish Cups, three League Cups and of course the European Cup in Lisbon on 25th May 1967.

Currently a club Ambassador, Jim is also a leading Celtic historian and of course he spend his working career as a dentist, finishing up working in Stirling. Jim Craig grew up in Govan and that’s where the statue will be located.

Tommy Gemmell statue unveiling at the Lisbon Lion’s hometown of Craigneuk. 28 February 2026. Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou

Bobby Lennox has a wonderful statue in Saltcoats, Billy McNeill has one in Bellshill and also outside of Celtic Park at the bottom of the Celtic Way and more recently Tommy Gemmell’s statue was unveiled in his hometown of Craigneuk in Lanarkshire.

Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion Jim Craig. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Speaking to STV this afternoon Jim Craig said it’s a real privilege to think that a statue is being planned in his honour.

“I never thought I would be immortalised in picture, never mind in stone,” the Celtic legend said. “I’ve been fortunate to go through my life as a Lisbon Lion where I get treated very well wherever I go – apart from Ibrox I suppose.

“It’s a privilege to hear there’s a statue being done. Everyone played their part in the iconic team. I feel so lucky to have played with them,” Jim Craig said.

Plans have been unveiled to immortalise Celtic legend Jim Craig with a statue in Govan. https://t.co/pX7rrtI0Tz
– miércoles, 25 de marzo de 2026

Find out more about this brilliant innovative over at jimcraiggovanfoundation.co.uk

European Cup Final Celtic v Inter Milan The Celtic team line up, Mannschaftsbild, Totale before defeating Inter Milan to win the European Cup. Back Row Left to Right: Jim Craig; Tommy Gemmell; Ronnie Simpson; Billy McNeill; Bobby Murdoch; and John Clarke. In front, left to right: Stevie Chalmers; Willie Wallace, Jimmy Johnstone; Bobby Lennox; and Bertie Auld. 27 May 1967. Portugal Photo TopFoto (IMAGO) – The Celtic Star.

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