A statue of Celtic legend Billy McNeill will be unveiled at Celtic Park next month, the Glasgow club has announced.

McNeill was captain of Jock Stein’s side when the Hoops won nine league titles in a row, numerous domestic cups and the European Cup on May 25, 1967.

Known as ‘Cesar’, he joined Celtic in 1957, and he made his first-team debut in August 23, 1958 in a League Cup tie against Clyde.

In total, he won nine league titles, seven Scottish Cups, six League Cups and the European Cup, making 790 appearances and scoring 35 goals. No player has played more times for Celtic.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “Billy McNeill is all that’s great about Celtic. He’s been voted our greatest ever captain by supporters, and rightly so. He stands for everything that Celtic stands for and he’s a leader. He has the right values in terms of family, respect, humility - a magnificent man on and off the park and this statue is a fitting tribute to him as one of Celtic’s all-time greats.”

When the creation of the statue was announced earlier in the year, McNeill said: “'When Peter contacted me regarding the statue I was completely taken by surprise. Whenever I walk up the Celtic Way, I look on with a great sense of pride at the sight of Brother Walfrid, Big Jock and my old team-mate and friend Jinky rightly taking their place almost as guardians of Celtic Park.

"Every time I look back at this special club's history and what we achieved it fills me with joy, and now to be told I am to be honoured beside these Celtic greats, this really is a special day for me and all my family."

The statue will be unveiled ahead of Celtic’s Premiership match against Motherwell at Celtic Park on Saturday, December 19.