LISBON LION Tommy Gemmell will be celebrated when a statue of the Celtic legend is unveiled in his hometown of Craigneuk at 2pm today.
The club icon was the scorer of the crucial and utterly unforgettable equalising goal as Jock Stein’s side became the first British club to conquer Europe when they overcame mighty Inter Milan 2-1 in the glorious sunshine on the evening of May 25 1967 in the Portuguese capital.
CQN have been marking the well-deserved honour to a genuine Celtic great with an EXCLUSIVE series in the countdown to the big day.
Celtic book author Alex Gordon, a lifelong friend of the iconic Celt and who co-wrote Tommy’s 2014 best-selling autobiography, ‘All The Best’, reflects on a remarkable career of a completely one-off character.
Here is a selection of observations from Tommy’s life story.
Please enjoy.
TOMMY GEMMELL was the player who completely revolutionised the left-back role at Parkhead with his flamboyant raids and pulverising shooting power which terrorised opposing keepers.
However, the Hoops great’s career didn’t turn out quite as he expected.
“My dream was to play for Motherwell,” Gemmell revealed to Alex Gordon. “I used to cycle to the ground on match day to cheer them on from the terracing.
“However, that all stopped on the day I joined Celtic. They became my focus and long after I had stopped playing they were always the club closest to my heart. Once a Celt, always a Celt.”
PARADISE IN PORTUGAL…Celtic’s goal heroes Stevie Chalmers and Tommy Gemmell – and friend – after the momentous European Cup Final triumph over Inter Milan in Lisbon.
Hard to believe, but Big TG kicked off his career as an outside-right at Junior team Coltness United in 1959 before converting to full-back after joining the Parkhead club in 1961.
Remarkably, he signed for the Parkhead side on the same evening as Jimmy Johnstone. They shared a bus ride back home with the winger getting off at Uddingston.
Gemmell made his first team debut as a 19-year-old in the No.3 position in place of the more experienced Jim Kennedy against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on January 5, 1963. Celtic won 5-1.
In all, he made 418 appearances for the club and scored 64 goals – an astonishing tally for a defender.
Gemmell moved to Nottingham Forest in a £40,000 deal on December 12 ,1971 and netted six times in 39 league appearances.
BY THE LEFT…Tommy Gemmell fires over a cross from the wing.
BY THE RIGHT…Tommy Gemmell thunders in the unforgettable equaliser against Inter Milan in Lisbon on May 25 1967.
“I never wanted to leave Celtic,” said Tommy years later. “I think everyone was aware of that. But you could never argue with Jock Stein. He had made up his mind to freshen things in the team and a few of us were on our way.
“There was a break-up of the Lions at the time and others such as Jim Craig, Willie Wallace, Bertie Auld, Stevie Chalmers, Bobby Murdoch and John Clark were moved on.
“I don’t think one of us had any desire to move, but you had to accept these things happen in football. No-one could ever take away the memories, though. They would live with me forever.”
Gemmell returned to Scotland with Dundee and was made captain of the club and helped them a 1-0 League Cup Final success in 1973 over Celtic, of all teams!
WALLOP…Tommy Gemmell thumps in the opener in the 1970 European Cup Final against Feyenoord in Milan.
JOY BHOYS…Tommy Gemmell celebrates his strike agsainst the Dutch with Bobby Lennox and Jimmy Johnstone joining in.
“That was a wee bit embarrassing., ” recalled Tommy. “I had to go and receive the silverware and had to pass so many of my Celtic friends on my way up the stairs.
“To be fair, every one of them congratulated me on the victory. That meant a lot to me.
“I was presented with the League Cup and I had to hold it aloft and wave it to the Dundee fans. I duly followed protocol, but if you see footage of that moment you will clearly see I couldn’t wait to hand the trophy to next in line, goalkeeper Thomson Allan!”
The Dens Park outfit appointed Tommy as manager in 1977 after ex-Rangers boss Davie White had been sacked following a series of losses in the league.
Gemmell left in 1980 for a new career as a financial consultant in the city, but returned to football in a part-time capacity as Albion Rovers gaffer in 1986.
CZECH-MATES…Tommy Gemmell and Jimmy Johnstone celebrate the goalless draw against Dukla Prague in the Czechoslovakian capital that seales Celtic’s place in the European Cup Final against Inter Milan in Lisbon.
He lasted only a year with the Coatbridge club, but was persuaded to come back for another 12-month stint in 1993.
“Now that was an experience,” smiled Gemmell at the recollection. “From Celtic to Cliftonhill is quite a step, believe me. Interesting times, though!”
Gemmell made his Scotland international debut in a 4-3 defeat against England at Hampden in 1966.
In total, he made 18 appearances for his country and scored one goal, a penalty-kick in an 8-0 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus at Hampden in 1969.
Those who witnessed this cavalier performer during his heyday can be eternally grateful for the privilege.
Today’s unveiling of the statue in the iconic Celt’s hometown of Craigneuk is a well-deserved – and long-overdue – honour.
Thanks for all the precious memories, Tommy.
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