When it comes to sweepers, like Billy McNeill at centre half, a very high standard was set by John Clark who virtually created the position in Celtic terms.
The sweeper has always been seen a complimenting the centre half with partnerships the order of the day.
As recently as two seasons ago there was virtually the perfect combination in Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer but that was always going to be a short term solution.
The dominating figure throughout the post Lisbon times was Roy Aitken, with a first team career stretching over 16 years, man and Bhoy.
Aitken seemed a certain future Celtic manager but that career took off in other directions, with a stint at Aberdeen followed by being assistant to names such as David O'Leary and Alex McLeish.
While the centre-half has tended to take the headlines and limelight without a steady sweeper they's be left exposed with the unheralded duo of Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus twice taking Celtic through the group phase of the Champions League.
So who has been Celtic's greatest sweeper since Lisbon? We've picked out five worthy candidates, and you can vote on your favourite on the final page...
ROY AITKEN
Was a pivotal figure in the greatest successes of the modern era - scoring in that 4-2 win over Rangers, inspiring the comeback in the 1985 Scottish Cup Final, popping the champagne at Love Street and captaining the team to the 1988 double.
It's hard to know where to start when it comes to Aitken, his departure for Newcastle was certainly a big loss as the trophies dried up and the spirit almost went in the same direction.
Aitken was as hard as nails and could play a fair bit, too. Now and then he'd be pushed into midfield, often as an attempt to turn a match around. An ideal Celtic side of the eighties would have had a Roy Aitken in defence and another in midfield.
*Cast your vote on the final page?
GARY CALDWELL
Endured a strange Celtic career, one of great success but never quite convincing the support of his worth to the team.
Arriving on a Bosman deal from Hibs he had the difficult task of replacing Bobo Balde, who remained on the payroll. His lack of stature seemed an issue but other than a few unfortunate nights in Europe he was rarely exposed.
In the dramatic title winning success of 2008 he played a key role, pinging through the passes for Shunsuke Nakamura and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink in the 2-1 win over Rangers, in which the memorable Scotland's Shame banner was unfurled.
*Cast your vote on the final page?
DEREK WHYTE
Great predictions were made for Whyte after he made his debut as a 17-year-old and played his part in the Love Street success a dozen appearances later.
He played a full part, scoring a few important goals, in the Centenary double winning side but his career seemed to run aground after that.
Under Liam Brady he looked to be back on track but ended up being transferred to Middlesbrough while Brady put his faith and budget on Gary Gillespie and Tony Mowbray.
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GEORGE CONNOLLY
Still rated by many who saw him as one of the greatest talents - and losses - to have worn a Celtic shirt.
From 1970 to 1973 he was delivering consistently high standard performances to build on his keepy-uppy skills and a memorable goal in the 4-0 Scottish Cup Final win over Rangers in 1969.
Sadly his career was a constant battle against the fame and intrusion that had started to creep in to the game, following the transfer of Davie Hay to Chelsea his Celtic days petered out in his mid twenties.
*Cast your vote on the final page?
JOOS VALGAEREN
Another made to measure Martin O'Neill signing, he was slightly less physical than team-mates Johan Mjallby and Bobo Balde.
Wholehearted would be one way of describing the Belgian defender, one of the old school breed who just wanted to stop opponents getting near goal.
The fans quickly took to his style of play, they knew exactly what they were getting and that was never less than 100% commitment.
Cast your vote below...