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6 unusual facts about Jock Stein


1970–71 Manchester United F.C. season

Following speculation that the Celtic manager Jock Stein would take over during the close season of 1971, Leicester City manager Frank O'Farrell was given the United job.

Jock Stein

Stein would have been knighted instead if not for an infamous Intercontinental Cup final match against Racing Club where four Celtic players were sent off.

His greatest triumph, however, was in guiding Celtic to victory in the 1967 European Cup Final against previous champions, Italian giants Inter Milan.

Since his death, Stein has been inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

John Stein

Jock Stein (1922–1985), Scottish football player and manager (Celtic F.C.)

Willie Henderson

Legend has it that late on in an Old Firm encounter he inquired on the sidelines, "How long to go, how long to go?" Jock Stein replied: "Go and ask at the other dugout, you bloody fool – this is the Celtic bench!"


Al Finucane

Everton came over to see the Limerick half-back in action in Milltown, Jock Stein arrived from Glasgow Celtic and there were scouting missions from Swindon Town and Millwall.

Big Jock Knew

It is aimed mainly to antagonise supporters of their Glasgow rivals Celtic F.C. by stating that their former manager, Jock Stein, was aware of sexual abuse committed by the former Celtic Boys Club manager, Jim Torbett, and did not notify the authorities.


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