Today, we have the small matter of a guest blog by Lisbon Lion, right back, left back, dominator of play, years ahead of his time, scorer of two of our three most important goals, a truly modern player and one of Europe’s finest…….. Tommy Gemmell.
Tommy has spent the last few years ‘getting it all down on paper’, and this year CQN is publishing the definitive autobiography of a remarkable football player, icon and man. It’s not his first book (which predicted we would win the European Cup in 1969), and it’s not his second, but it is a book with enormous sincerity and insight on the days when Scotland produced giants of the world game.
Inspirational people can inspire with little effort. I described a goal to Tommy as “a great goal”, he gave me a half smile and said, “Every goal is a great goal”. Tommy knows what it means to score goals so valuable they will live in legend as long as the game is played, but he was able to convince me that knocking the ball over the line for Celtic in a relatively meaningless game against vastly inferior opposition was, for him, indescribable, although he did a good job of describing it in the book.
Legends are made quickly these days but 40 years on, his contribution still towers. He has really enjoyed working on the book and is looking forward to getting the final copy in his hands, and most of all, the interactions it will bring with the Celtic support.
He has put some words down for us in today’s blog, including an opportunity to ask him some questions – for inclusion in a special section of the book. Hope you enjoy it………..
By TOMMY GEMMELL:
I am absolutely delighted Celtic Quick News is publishing my book ‘All The Best’ in the near future. The title is a bit of a giveaway as to what to expect within the pages of what I hope is an entertaining and insightful read.
I’ve gone through all the Celtic teams I’ve played in to come up with my eleven from heaven. Obviously, the Lisbon Lions are in a class of their own, so I haven’t touched them. Simpson, Craig and Yours Truly; Murdoch, McNeill and Clark; Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld and Lennox. That’s about as close to perfection you’ll ever see in a football team.
We all had different strengths, but we really gelled as a formation. If that lot could keep Jock Stein satisfied, then who am I to change that line-up?
But there will be a few surprises along the way with my many selections. I’ve dipped into the international scene, too, and there are some great tales about Denis Law, Alan Gilzean and others. And, of course, I could never ignore the one and only Jinky,.I still miss that little rascal, but what a player!
I hope the book is interesting and enjoyable for many reasons because I really reveled in looking through the past. I relished ‘Heart Of A Lion: The Willie Wallace Story’ by my old pal. If my own memoirs are as appreciated as those of Willie, I’ll be well satisfied.
I have never before spoken at length about my friendship with George Best, for instance. Bestie and I had a good relationship and I would often look him up when I was in London on business. Well, what would you prefer? A boring old seminar about the world of finance or a couple of beers with Bestie? Thought so!
And there were also meetings with Brian Clough when I was at Nottingham Forest and he was manager at Derby County. Our paths crossed several times and I have to say he was a completely one-off individual. Not sure if I could have played for him, though!
And, of course, I could never ignore what Jock Stein did for me as a Celtic player. We may not always have seen eye-to-eye, but you can’t take away what he achieved at Celtic. He completely turned the club upside down. Mind you, he could be ruthless and I know what I’m talking about because I was on the receiving end a few times.
Without warning, he dropped me from the line-up for the League Cup Final against St.Johnstone in 1969. I was so livid that I asked for a transfer the following day. And yet Jock knew I never wanted to leave Celtic. Who in their right mind would? I was heart broken at the time, but I’ll tell you more in ‘All The Best’. All will be revealed, as they say.
I am going to try something different for the book. Today, Celtic Quick News is open for you to send me questions on the blog. I will take the questions and answer them in a hardback small run of the book, all of which will be signed. So, don’t hesitate – get writing and I’ll be only too delighted to reply. If you have anything you’d like to ask me about my career in football, or anything else for that matter, please post on CQN today and the guys will forward me on the questions. I’ll do the rest!
I have always loved the interaction with the Celtic support. Even today I’ll get stopped in the street and fans will ask me about my European Cup Final goal. Mischievously, I’ll always respond with, ‘Which one?’ People seem to have forgotten that I scored in TWO European Cup Finals – against Inter Milan and Feyenoord. Most folk, though, don’t want to talk about the latter. Understandable, I suppose.
So, please send in your questions and I promise to answer every single one. And I will give it to you straight. I have also been promised my own account on CQN so when I am signing your books I am going to log in to CQN and have a chat with everyone. Paul will let you know when this is happening.
That’s the great part of ‘All The Best’. I’ve been able to tell it like it is and I hope the supporters appreciate the sentiments.
I am delighted Celtic Quick News guys are publishing the book, it’s an exciting adventure for us all, and I do hope you get as much enjoyment reading the book as I did putting it together.
All the best!
Tommy Gemmell
We’re so lucky to have these guys. They have been a gift beyond all recognition.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
[calameo code=0003901710a55b5798f06 lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
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Good evening all.
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
Tommy Gemmell-
The very name oozes Celtic!
All the best big Mhan with the latest book-am sure it will be a big hit.
2 questions for you-
What took you so long getting here?
And-did you let Paul down gently when you rejected his suggestion that you include at least 1 chapter of the new book on Amortisation!
Thanks for all your heroic efforts in and for the Hoops-ya Legend!
Hail Hail!
John O’Neil
09:55 on 12 February, 2014
So the Celtic board are again being accused of various follies by some of our supporter groups. No doubt that some gripes are valid, but I would again like to know how much JF and friends consult with those Celtic supporters who don’t want extreme Left politics or certain songs to be part of our present day club. As it is they who wish to make this a part of Celtic, it is incumbent upon them to persuade the rest of us why Celtic FC should be used as a place for putting up banners about Palestinians for example. Do they have a strategy to consult with those who disagree with them or do they dismiss them as ‘Capitalist swine’?
JF is an admirer of a Soviet lunatic who hated priests and believers. That being so, can she understand that some Celtic supporters don’t trust the motives of a person who admires Soviet lunatics. Moreover, can she understand that some Celtic supporters, mindful of the club’s history and origins, do not want our club to be tarnished by a minority of individuals who still adhere to half baked political theories which caused misery around the world? Would Brother Walfrid have wanted his club to be influenced by people who admire Soviet brutes? Having said all that, JF appears to be a passionate supporter with some valid reasons to criticise the Celtic board. Unfortunately JF’s valid arguments against the board are overwhelmed by her extreme political beliefs.
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Just listening to Desert Island Tims with Jeanette Findlay, you better give it another listen mate as you seriously misheard what Jeanette said re Trotskyi she said she admired him and his way of doing things, being able to build united fronts as well as getting people to work together on common goals.
She also mentioned(I’ll paraphrase here) that she liked him as he never took the politics too seriously as he prefered to party rather than attend confrences. Is her desire to have a conversation with a person who was involved in one of the most importantant events of the 20th century such a crime?
It would appear you need a bit of a history lesson aswell John, I’d never heard this broadcast till this evening and automatically thought you were refering to Stalin’s communist regeme that was responsible for some unbelievable acts on millions of innocent peoples.
It came as a surprise when I relised that nowhere during this interview does Jeanette once mention Stalin in any way other than as a phycopath or lunatic etc, so just in case you weren’t aware of Trotsky’s role after Lenin’s death.
After leading a failed struggle of the Left Opposition against the policies and rise of Joseph Stalin in the 1920s and the increasing role of bureaucracy in the Soviet Union, Trotsky was successively removed from power in 1927, expelled from the Communist Party, and finally deported from the Soviet Union in 1929.
My question is who is this lunatic you alledge Jeanette supports who was “….a Soviet lunatic who hated priests and believers”?
It would be my contention John that you have been taken in by those that would us believe that Jeanette is some kind of crazed power hungry despot about to lead the Celtic support on some mad journey to free the oppressed of the world in the name of Marx and Engels.
Stoke game abandoned?
Weefra
Is there no summit you should be doin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHrRxQVUFN4
As you were – Stoke bet365 link must have gone down due to weather.
CRC, predictor up to date, except GoogyBhoy forgetting the last game and sends it just when the laptop gets switched off!!!!!!
Nil Nil
Away to watch the Thames for 15 minutes
Hail Hail Tommy Gemmell,
Q1. What are your thoughts on Bairds Bar being turned into a Carpet Shop?
Q2. Will you get a 67% discount?
CarpetrightCSC
I liked Tommy Gemmell.I have no time for all this ass kissing from far too many on here.He was one of the “Lions”,for that he will always be remembered,I think he knows that.
Because TG says a few words on the blog everything is OK.No it is not.Ask him some pertinent questions.Ask him about the GB.Ask him about the signing policy.Ask him what he thinks about selling our best players and not replacing them for CL qualifiers.Ask him something fekin important.Sounds like Trisha on here.
Sorry,one load of crap on here tonight.
CQN Predictor (week 30)
Position Lst Week Team Manager Week 27 pts Feb Pts Total Pts
1 (1) Gohome Yahuns stevenagebhoy 28 50 1287
2 (3) Dougies Donkeys DougC 27 55 1262
3 (2) Bayern Bru Twists n turns 23 50 1259
4 (4) Norfolk Enchants Sponsored by Cheetah 30 64 1243
5 (7) Set Phasers to Malky Jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants 31 61 1237
6 (5) The NoNames Kingoh 20 73 1231
7 (8) Thom’s Sellick Thommybhoy 32 59 1231
8 (6) 7-1 4-2 6-2 Travelbhoy 25 55 1231
9 (9) Imran’s Maw Dick Byrne 33 71 1231
10 (11) Kayal33 Kayal33 32 61 1216
11 (13) celtic 67 Deccyrollercoaster 28 56 1211
12 (14) Koln Hoops Kolncelt 37 66 1211
13 (12) ColleensBhoys Leftclicktic 24 53 1208
14 (10) Frank’s Frantic Eleven Celtic Soul Brother 23 50 1208
15 (17) Hurdles Huddlers bognorbhoyle 35 62 1204
16 (15) Setting Free the Bears Setting Free the Bears 30 58 1204
17 (16) Hopeful Hoops Bobby Evans Superstar 28 63 1199
18 (18) The Exiled Tim The Exiled Tim 24 62 1191
19 (23) epl overated hmack 38 74 1189
20 (19) Kikinthenakas Kikinthenakas 24 47 1185
21 (20) The Dukes of Montrose Celtic Mac 28 58 1184
22 (21) Roughrigg Brushers GG 25 60 1179
23 (22) Looney Tunes Celticrollercoaster 25 73 1178
24 (28) Bannockburn Bhoys Doc is Neil Lennon 34 61 1164
25 (25) Del Monte Shamrock jammabhoy 29 57 1162
26 (24) Donny Gaels Bradbhoy 25 53 1161
27 (26) FC Pasch(ing) praecepta 23 56 1156
28 (32) Athenry bhoys stpatricksbhoy 35 72 1155
29 (30) Jessica Rabbit Mrs CRC 27 50 1150
30 (35) Hail Hail Rain or Shine FC Jobo Baldie 32 56 1148
31 (29) Were on the one road Colts Cowiebhoy 23 47 1146
32 (38) Weißbier X Pogmathonyahun 34 71 1146
33 (34) Belfast Celtic cliftonville celt 26 61 1144
34 (36) Meiklehill Rovers Mayanman 30 68 1143
35 (33) Minx 1888 Minx 1888 21 52 1140
36 (27) EK Green & White Army Kelvinbhoy 0 20 1132
37 (40) MARCELONACELTIC F C Mhark67 28 61 1130
38 (41) Mcdowells Bhoys mcdowellcelt 30 55 1129
39 (39) Celtic Under Ninety Team Paddy Turner 17 44 1127
40 (42) Nitrams 11 ncmjc 25 60 1124
41 (44) Lennys Bhoys Lennybhoy 32 48 1123
42 (37) celtic1888 Murdoch, Auld and Hay 10 35 1123
43 (31) Rossini Sammi the Hun Skelper 0 28 1122
44 (47) Glasgow Brazilian Mouldy67 35 69 1118
45 (43) Lennys Lions The Lizard King 25 55 1117
46 (48) Angola CSC thecelt45 32 61 1111
47 (49) Green and Whiteley Murdoch, McGrain and Larsson 30 53 1107
48 (46) Kiwinning Dangers BMCUWP 19 47 1104
49 (51) Death or Wamba? Ard Ri 40 76 1097
50 (45) Googys Globetrotters Googy Bhoy 0 22 1091
51 (52) Hillend Rockies Slabhoy 35 77 1081
52 (50) Dim Sam’s Tims Dim Sam 22 58 1081
53 (53) Dan City Dan 22 51 1061
54 (56) Dreamchester Athletic Blantyre Tim 35 69 1058
55 (55) lubosleftpeg castlebhoy 27 57 1051
56 (54) Jonny the Tim Jonny the Tim 13 36 1049
57 (58) Acacia Milan Doubting Thomas 31 62 1040
58 (57) Bada Bing Bada Bing 24 56 1038
59 (63) Celtic rose Caityrollercoaster 34 68 1007
60 (60) Giffnock Old Bhoys gscbhoy 21 43 1007
61 (59) Maybe Next Year…………… Penfold 0 0 1002
62 (61) Evergreen The Lurker 23 56 999
63 (62) thebhoyfromoz thebhoyfromoz 0 25 976
64 (64) Port Brigade Saint Stivs 27 72 973
65 (65) Billys Boots Lionsroar67 0 0 818
66 (66) Diamonds B-Boy 0 0 793
67 (67) Dark Horse FC Stephen Black 0 0 770
68 (68) Real Ale Madrid The Token Tim 0 32 746
69 (70) Sipsini Sipsini 23 53 745
70 (69) Chocolate Bhoys McFudge 0 0 733
71 (71) Berocca Juniors The Pips XI 14 32 688
72 (72) Patrick Missal Patrick27 0 0 611
73 (73) micktic 3mick3 0 0 582
74 (74) Somerset Harp Gherrybhoy57 0 0 522
75 (75) RalphWaldoEllison X1 RalphWaldoEllison 0 0 490
76 (76) iPaddys Plodders iPaddyMcCourt 0 0 443
77 (77) Jinky’s Giants Johnbud78 0 0 435
78 (78) Heaven Albert Kidd 0 0 429
79 (79) Gordybhoy Rovers Gordy Bhoy 64 0 0 350
80 (80) ruggyvogue c.s.c. voguepunter 0 0 288
praecepta-Stoke owners own bet 365 :)
Turkeybhoy
HairuphisarseC.S.C
Pass the sick bucket please.
Arsenal Man U – I’d rather watch the Celtic any day, just can’t get interested in the EPL
Liverpool score
1 each
Up another 4 places in the league, CowieBhoy dropping like a stone!
VoguePunter will be breathing down his neck so at this rate:-)
I know, I’ll stop when I don’t get a reaction though!
Now the league is out the results for the Champions League and Europa League will be up soon.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
18:37 on
12 February, 2014
I think AJCronin went to St Joe’s in Dumfries.
*Dumbarton Academy and then St Als…read the Minstrel Boy for an account of his time there…he then went on to Glasgow Uni to study medicine.
Robert the Bruce died in Cardross, of leprosy.
*Bruce died in his manor house on the banks of the Leven which came under the Parish of Cardross…..at his request his body was buried in Dunfermline, his heart in Melrose Abbey and his visceral at the medieval church known as Saint Serfs in Levengrowve Park in Dumbarton.
praecepta
20:17 on
12 February, 2014
Started 9 games (4 clean sheets) between Jan and Aug 2003, so does not qualify on 2 counts.
A decent keeper that got away
HH
CRC
Doc is Neil Lennon
20:41 on
12 February, 2014
I don’t think you should be posting what VP gets up to in the back of his taxi. I mean it is 2014 and between 2 consenting CQNers :-)
Glad he never stopped for me the other day :-)
HH
CRC
Tommy,what were your favorite rollers?.Did you use any special hair products?
Who was the best looking of the Lisbon Lions?.
Who was your best pal?.
FFS,this blog sounds like something from my daughters mags.
Absolute garbage.Away and gie us peace.
Nothing wrong here Timmy,Move along,a Lisbon Lion has spoken.WTF..
Fans in turmoil,knocked out of another cup,nothing “Rosy in the garden”yet too many like wee giggling virgins because TG has a book out.
Turkeybhoy
Yip . Get a Lisbon Lion on and ask him nothing about his career. Sounds about right to me.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Doc
Was going for my usual hissy fit when I saw table………someone beat me to it.
ps would advise you to wear your Tenna men at CQteN…for protection.
VP
Haha enough to do here. :-)) Thanks for answering, thought I had the invisibility cloak back from 001 bhoy. Lol
Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.
CRC
You anaw re Protection. :O\
jimbo67
20:45 on
12 February, 2014
Turkeybhoy
Yip . Get a Lisbon Lion on and ask him nothing about his career. Sounds about right to me.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
I know all about his career.I saw every game.What is fekin old hat going to do for us.Buy the book ,bye all means.Dont act like lovesick teenagers on here.Ask him some pertinent questions ,maybe I will listen.Sounds like a DR interview.
roy croppie
17:12 on 12 February, 2014
TOMMY GEMMELL
Thanks for taking time to give myself and lymmbhoy an unique tour of Paradise a few years back. Much appreciated.
And…just thanks Big Mhan for everything.
CelticGreatCSC
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Haha remember it well.
HH Big Bro
Turkeybhoy,
take this or leave it, no skin of my nose
Maybe folk aren’t asking these questions because Tommy and the Lions have givin us enough, because he owes us nothing, and beause they don’t want to put him in that position.
Folks I’ll be running the Celtic quiz at 9pm on Friday evening.
All are very welcome to try their hand at being the CQN weekly quiz champion.
Hail Hail
Watcing napoli roma -maradona in the stadium -looks like he’s swallowed fat sally
2-0 napoli
3-0 napoli
Turkeybhoy
Yeah I am a sychophantic fool although I am perhaps not as familiar as you with the contents of women’s magazines.
We have had plenty folk on here – myself included – not happy with the way things are at Celtic . Since Saturday this blog has been has been one long droning whine. Tonight we seem to have a rest and it’s a decent change.
Enjoy your evening
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
Arsenal,V ManU .Probably the worst game I have watched this season.Really dire.Walking pace.
Ask TG what he thinks.
Listen in from 15 mins 15 seconds…….. So worth it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03tj0v1
Turkeybhoy.
I had my suspicions but you’ve just confirmed with your disrespect that you ain’t no celtic fan. Run along.
Turkeyhoy
Get a grip! Nothing wrong with folks celebrating a great player from a great Celtic team. Are you sipping the vinegar?
Tony Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaatt, get your shootin boots back here…S.O.S!
Turkeybhoy, I hear ye….You don’t by any chance wear silk underwear?
Hail Hail!
Tommy
Been thinking all day about a question to ask you but too young to remember about specific games or incidents. However I have a question that I asked Bertie a couple of years ago.
Q. Tommy, what’s it like to be a Lisbon Lion, simples?
HH