TOMMY GEMMELL must be the only player to tell legendary gaffer Jock Stein to eff off – and get away with it!
The one-off situation happened during the unforgettable 2-1 European Cup Final win over Inter Milan in Lisbon on May 25, 1967.
Discussing his pulverising equalising goal, the left-back said: “I noticed that their defender Picchi was in keeper Sarti’s line of vision.
“The goalie would not have got a great view of the shot until it was too late. He still made a spectacular effort to keep it out, though. I’ll give him that.
“It was a sweet strike alright and, of course, I had been fortunate enough over the years to knock in a few from distance. Most of the times you know there is nothing the goalie is going to do to keep it out.
“It took us until the 63rd minute to get that goal and, yes, as legend has it, I did swear at the gaffer shortly afterwards.
“He was yelling from the touchline: ‘Keep it tight – we’ll get them in extra-time.’
“I looked over and shouted back: ‘F**k off, boss, it’s 85 degress out here and we’re going to finish it here and now.’
“Thankfully, that’s what happened and Big Jock never once mentioned our little bout of touchline verbals afterwards!”
