HAIL CESAR

Fundraiser for Celtic legend Billy McNeill to get statue in hometown smashes £70K target

by · The Scottish Sun

A FUNDRAISER for Celtic legend Billy McNeill to get a statue erected in his hometown has smashed its £70K target.

The Billy McNeill Commemoration Committee launched their campaign for a statue of Cesar to go up in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, following his death last year.

The statue of Billy McNeill outside Celtic Park with thousands of floral tributesCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

The group set themselves a two-year target to raise £70,000 to fund the project.

But they have reached the stunning total in just 14 months.

The Hoops legend sadly passed away in 2019 after battling dementia.

The Parkhead icon won 13 league titles with the club as a player and manager and of course a statue of him lifting the European Cup sits proudly outside Celtic Park.

McNeill with the European Cup back in 1967Credit: Getty - Contributor

The plan is to have the new Bellshill statue in place for May 2021 in time for the 54th anniversary of Celtic lifting the European Cup.

Announcing the news online, a group spokesperson said: "The StatueForCesar campaign has generated fantastic support not only from Bellshill and Mossend but also surrounding towns and villages as well as further afield in Scotland and internationally.

"Many thanks to all who contributed in some way big or small. What an achievement.

"We now look forward to the day when Bellshill honours one of our most successful sons.

"The unveiling of the statue to Billy McNeill at Bellshill Cross will attract thousands of people to the Lanarkshire town in May 2021, involving a significant organisational and logistical operation.

"It will be a momentous year for the Celtic Family in Bellshill and Mossend."

The group are now going to officially register as a charity.

Meanwhile, Celtic appear to have been priced out of a move for Peterborough striker Ivan Toney.

New Hoops coach and ex-Posh No2 Gavin Strachan had highly recommended the hitman to Neil Lennon.

Toney - valued at around £11million - finished the season as League One's top scorer with 24 goals to his name.

And that sizzling form has attracted major interest from English clubs.

Now Peterborough are set to rake in a massive fee for the ex-Newcastle forward after accepting a bid, believed to be from Premier League hopefuls Brentford.