JCL
20-04-2004, 15:39
Supporters of Newcastle United and Celtic will no doubt remember him. A great servant to both clubs.
From the Sky Sports (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=197103&cpid=14) website:
Former Celtic and Newcastle goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson has died at the age of 73 after a heart attack.
A brave and able custodian, Simpson kept goal at Parkhead between 1964 and 1970 – after twice lifting the FA Cup with Newcastle in the 1950s.
A key member of the Lisbon Lions side that graced Europe, Simpson will be sadly missed by both players and supporters of Celtic.
Simpson was in goal for Celtic's European Cup win in 1967, playing a key role in the club's success in becoming the first British side to lift the trophy.
Billy McNeill, who captained the dominant Celtic side of Simpson's playing days, has led the tributes to the popular shot-stopper.
''It is a very sad day for me. The news has hit me very hard, I must admit,'' McNeill told Sky Sports News.
"Ronnie was a lovely man, great company, a terrific colleague and the perfect goalkeeper for us.
"I have lots and lots of fond memories of Ronnie but, unfortunately, they are only memories now.
"Ronnie was as much a footballer as he was a goalkeeper.
"Anything that went in behind us defenders, Ronnie would come out and do something about it.
"He had this wonderful habit of pulling off terrific saves when they were needed.
"Everything about him was terrific. He was a lovely man and a great player.
There's some nice words from Rangers legend John Greig on the official website. Tribute also contains a fact that I must admit I wasn't aware of - Ronnie Simpson's father Jimmy captained Rangers to two League Championships in 1930's. I didn't know the connection between the two.
Another tribute can be found on the Evening Times website. Click here (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/sport/6012113.html).
From the Sky Sports (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=197103&cpid=14) website:
Former Celtic and Newcastle goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson has died at the age of 73 after a heart attack.
A brave and able custodian, Simpson kept goal at Parkhead between 1964 and 1970 – after twice lifting the FA Cup with Newcastle in the 1950s.
A key member of the Lisbon Lions side that graced Europe, Simpson will be sadly missed by both players and supporters of Celtic.
Simpson was in goal for Celtic's European Cup win in 1967, playing a key role in the club's success in becoming the first British side to lift the trophy.
Billy McNeill, who captained the dominant Celtic side of Simpson's playing days, has led the tributes to the popular shot-stopper.
''It is a very sad day for me. The news has hit me very hard, I must admit,'' McNeill told Sky Sports News.
"Ronnie was a lovely man, great company, a terrific colleague and the perfect goalkeeper for us.
"I have lots and lots of fond memories of Ronnie but, unfortunately, they are only memories now.
"Ronnie was as much a footballer as he was a goalkeeper.
"Anything that went in behind us defenders, Ronnie would come out and do something about it.
"He had this wonderful habit of pulling off terrific saves when they were needed.
"Everything about him was terrific. He was a lovely man and a great player.
There's some nice words from Rangers legend John Greig on the official website. Tribute also contains a fact that I must admit I wasn't aware of - Ronnie Simpson's father Jimmy captained Rangers to two League Championships in 1930's. I didn't know the connection between the two.
Another tribute can be found on the Evening Times website. Click here (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/sport/6012113.html).