From the publisher:
I’m not really sure where you would begin to describe Alec McNair and his contribution to the success of Willie Maley’s first great Celtic sides. Perhaps you could think about a combination of Danny McGrain and Billy McNeill, those defensive and leadership qualities allied with a career-spanning devotion to Celtic. The rocks upon which great Celtic teams were built and flourished. Revered ‘one-club’ legends, who operated at the top-level of football over two decades, captaining club and country and winning medals for fun in those cherished Hoops. Men who commanded respect from far beyond the Celtic community, on and off the field. Humble but classy. Fabulous role models and ambassadors for Celtic and everything we stand for. Then throw in the coolness and composure of George Connelly and the authority and presence of Virgil Van Dijk. Now we might have Alec McNair, the best defender in the world in his day. A genuine all-time legend for both Celtic and Scottish football. The story of Celtic’s Icicle is quite remarkable. He created records which stand to this day, almost a century after he hung up his boots after a trophy-laden 21-year career. No-one has matched that sort of longevity in the history of Celtic Football Club. And it was a highly successful career, as Willie Maley’s first great sides enjoyed a golden era. In many ways this is a football love story, written by David Potter about one of the greatest Celts of all time, and the social and political context and insight which supports the narrative is fantastic. It really brings Alec’s story to life, as we kick every ball with the early Celtic greats. Jimmy Quinn and Patsy Gallacher. Sunny Jim Young, Napoleon McMenemy and Charlie Shaw. James Edward McGrory and the first set of McStay brothers. What a supporting cast that is. You will love this wonderful trip back through a record-breaking period in Celtic’s history.
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