He may, at 75, have lost the merest edge from his pace but Bertie Auld's eye for an opening has not dimmed.
"Hull is beautiful, if you're a fisherman. You'd need an umbrella and a sou'wester. When you become a Celtic player you learn through time about the history of the club and how important it is," he said, with the trademark grin that seems surgically applied to the bhoy from Panmure Street.
Auld is, of course, referring to the speculation linking Gary Hooper, the 25-year-old striker, with a move to Hull City. Sitting beside his former team-mate Mike Jackson, they present a united front against the notion of taking the money and leaving Celtic.
As former Celtic players, their stance may be predictable but it is well argued, too. Auld, who won everything with Celtic, and in one season, is adamant about what is on offer at Celtic Park for the English striker. "I don't think Hull City is a more attractive option than Celtic. I admire Steve Bruce because he's done exceptionally well, but when you talk about Norwich City, Southampton or Everton it doesn't compare to Celtic," said Auld, who was signed by Birmingham City in 1961 after he fell foul of the power brokers at Parkhead.
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