Celtic have announced that they will unveil a statue of former captain and manager Billy McNeill ahead of their home match against Motherwell on December 19.

The sculpture will be placed alongside statues of fellow Hoops legends Jock Stein and Jimmy Johnstone, as well as club founder Brother Walfrid at the top of Celtic Way outside of Parkhead.

"Billy McNeill is all that's great about Celtic. He stands for everything that Celtic stands for and he's a leader," said chief executive Peter Lawwell in a statement.

"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."

McNeill, voted as the greatest ever Celtic captain by the team's fans, won nine league titles, seven Scottish Cups, six League Cups, and the European Cup during his playing career at Parkhead.

He later returned to the Hoops as manager, winning a further four league titles, three Scottish Cups, and one Scottish League Cup.