Thursday 25 April 2019 15:33, UK
Neil Lennon described Celtic as "a club in mourning" following the death of Billy McNeill.
McNeill, who played for Celtic his whole career, was captain of the famous 'Lisbon Lions' side who won the European Cup in 1967 and also went on to manage the club.
The Parkhead club announced the 79-year-old's death on Tuesday morning.
"We are a club in mourning," said Lennon.
"On behalf of the players and staff, our thoughts go out to [McNeill's wife] Liz and the family.
"Liz was just a rock for Billy over his whole life and the family gave him tremendous comfort, love, and care through his debilitating illness.
"He was the one, he was Celtic. We have lost him and it is a huge loss to the club.
"He was a leader of a great team and a leader of great men. I can't put into words how big a loss he is to this club."
Lennon feels retiring the No 5 jersey would be a fitting tribute to McNeill, who won more than 30 honours with the club as a player and a manager.
"There will only ever be one Billy McNeill for me," he said. "It's not a bad idea at all. Hang it up where people can see it for years on end."
There be an emotional atmosphere at Celtic Park for Saturday game with Kilmarnock and Lennon wants his players to feed off that emotion as they look to move a step closer to an eighth Premiership title in a row.
"It'll be emotional but I think the fans will give Billy a huge tribute and players need to buy into that," he said.
"Feed off it, thrive on it, enjoy it and celebrate Billy's life."
Celtic could be crowned champions this weekend if they beat Kilmarnock and Rangers lose at home to Aberdeen on Sunday.
They sit nine points ahead of Rangers following their goalless draw against Hibernian last Sunday.
"We've just got to take it game by game," said Lennon. "We were disappointed with the result last week. Some aspects of the performance could have been better but we had 20 attempts on goal, four on target. We know our finishing could have been better.
"Our form is OK. People are making a big deal of it but it is exactly the same as this time last year. We drew 0-0 at home to Dundee, won 2-1 at Hamilton, won a semi-final and then lost to Hibs. In fact, our form is better, but everyone seems to be making a huge issue of it.
"I'm just looking for consistency and standards to be maintained from here on to the cup final. I know the players are well capable of that.
"We're unbeaten since January, we've conceded three goals, yet there seems to be a wave of criticism aimed at myself and the players which is well over the top."
