Passing of Ronnie Simpson RIP.

[Rev's Irish Rose]

Just wanted to pass on my condolences to all Celtic supporters on the passing of Ronnie Simpson RIP.I met the man a couple of months ago at Logan Airport in Boston where I work as a Security Screener. A couple of my co - workers were discussing soccer when this very distinguished looking gentleman announced to them that he had played soccer in Scotland. I spoke to him and asked who he was. He told me he was Ronnie Simpson and we had a lovely conversation for a few minutes. He was on a business trip that day and he said he hoped to see me again in passing through Logan. He was so happy to talk with someone in the US about soccer which is only a growing sport here.It was a pleasure to speak with such a lovely, friendly gentleman. May he rest in peace. Carmel.

[Wide Boy]

His death will be greeted with sadness by many.

As well as his distinguished career at Celtic - goalie in first British team to win European Cup and (please tell me if I'm wrong) oldest winner of first cap for Scotland - he is well known and well thought of in north east England.

He was the goalie in the last Newcastle team to win a major domestic honour (FA Cup 1955).

From www.Nufc.com
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'keeper mourned:
Another Wembley winner passes on

The death of former Newcastle United and Celtic goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson was announced today (Tuesday).

Ronnie made 297 senior appearances in all competitions for the Magpies between 1951 and 1960, including the 1952 and 1955 FA Cup final victories over Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.

He also played in goal for the Great Britain football team at the 1948 Olympic Games, after having made his senior debut between the posts for Queens Park against Clyde when only fourteen years old.

Some 22 years later, Glaswegian-born Simpson became the oldest player to win his first international cap when selected for Scotland.

He joined Newcastle from Third Lanark after a stint of National Service and signed for Celtic via Hibernian in 1964. After FA Cup success with United he played in league championship, FA Cup and League winning sides for the Hoops as well as the 1967 European Cup victory over Inter Milan - not bad for a player rejected by arch rivals Rangers as being sub-standard in 1947....

Ronnie was 73 and is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

By our reckoning, the loss of Ronnie and Bob Stokoe earlier this year leaves only the following FA Cup winners still alive: Charlie Crowe, Alf McMichael, Tommy Casey, Vic Keeble and Tommy Walker.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Another of the lions goes to the european cup final in the sky, RIP ronnie