Players from Celtic’s legendary 1967 European Cup winning squad joined in the celebrations as the Jimmy Johnstone Football Academy received the prestigious Scottish FA Quality Mark Standard Award.

The Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme, run by the Scottish FA in partnership with McDonald’s and The Big Lottery Fund, recognises proactive clubs and schools working to increase youth and community participation.

Clubs and schools receive the award after meeting standards in areas such as coach and player development, management, administration, welfare and planning.

Lisbon Lions Bertie Auld and Joe McBride, patrons of the academy set up in memory of their former Celtic team mate, were joined at the presentation by Jimmy Johnstone’s widow Agnes.

The academy use Toryglen Regional Football Centre for their football development programme and train over 160 boys and girls of various age groups and abilities each week.

All 35 of their voluntary coaching staff have undertaken various Scottish FA coaching qualifications. The Academy was guided through the Quality Mark Accreditation Scheme by Culture and Sport Glasgow’s Football Development section. 

Scottish FA West region club development manager, Danny Bisland, said: “This award recognises the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at Jimmy Johnstone Academy.

“The club is a real asset to the local community, with an excellent development programme offering playing opportunities to boys and girls of all ages and abilities.”

Councillor Archie Graham, the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, said: “The Toryglen Regional Football Centre is widely regarded as a centre of excellence and it is great to see the facilities there being put to such great use by the academy’s many teams.

“The academy is a shining example to other clubs operating at a grassroots level and the Quality Mark Award reflects the undoubted dedication and commitment of its many qualified coaches.”

Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld said: “I know that Jimmy will be up there looking down and he will delighted to know that his ambitions and his dreams of seeing young people get a chance like he did are being realised through the work of the academy. That is a real legacy for Jimmy.”