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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Cowiebhoy 7pm -1am then throwing out time!
TET
Got the 10/3 single – the 6/1 double was the bonus.
Not mega-bucks but £15 up on the night – the Barca goal was worth a ton! :-(
My favourite big fan goal (Lisbon and benfica apart) is the diving header against the deid team in the league cup tie at celtic park in 1969.
It was the infamous Jim Callaghan game and we had to win it.
A great night.
Thanks winning captains
looking to make arrangements to transport a few “pudins” hame :-)
aye that includes you Doc
hail hail
Evening All,
I can’t believe that one of the first questions put to Tommy Gemmell was thrown at him by SFTB — ” what do you think of BRTH’s Footwork?” — I know it came out as footwear but what he meant was footwork!
Anyway, long day today so I had to leave the Winning Captain on his lonesome to go about various pieces of CQN business while I was at the hospital with my dad.
I have said it before, but have no hesitation in saying it again, David (WC) puts in a power of work for everything CQN — you have to be up close to see just how much but trust me it is a huge amount.
For anyone watching the Arsenal v Man Utd game tonight:
Q. What is the difference between Robin Van Persie and Henril Larsson?
A. Henrik Larsson scores from that position!
For Tommy G I have two questions:
1. What was it like taking the penalty against Racing Club in Buenos Aries — against the background of that hugely hostile crowd?
2. Tell us the truth about your pal who used to pretend to be Willie Wallace so that he could chat up girls? — or is that just an urban myth made up by a funny wee man who now lives in Australia?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkZFravuCJI
Gene
If you’re still aboot….
BT don’t have the CL next season. Then, the following season they will have BOTH the CL and the EL.
So, …er…..what was your question again? :)
6oclock
OK
Maybe we should have an alternative to the pound in Scotland – how about a sevco ? A whitey ? A sportsok ?
Any other suggestions ? Hh
A wee heads up for the gamblers on here.
Barca have not won a game in the Basque reigon for the last 10 games, and the last one they won, was against Alaves who were relegated.
Food for thought.
HH
An ipox?
Was watching Arsenal v Manure
About 15 minutes to go Arsenal were lined up with only 2 defenders
Against Man United !!
0-0 15 minutes to go against St Mirren
We would have 5 defenders against 1up
Gone are the days when we lose games when it should have been 10-1 but we hit the bar , the post and the keeper had the game of his life
Stop defending NFL because of the other stuff
He doesn’t get the Celtic attacking ethos
CowieBhoy
LionsRoars, Minx1888 and HT are interested in taking seats on that transport.
When did arsen venger last win a trophy??
Remember Bhoys & Ghirls
Whilst CQten Dream Team is free to enter, you can make a big thank you for all the hard work on this by buying your CQteN badges for yourself, your family and your friends. Badges will be £5 each (plus postage) and all profits going to CQteN’s Mary’s Meal project.
http://twitpic.com/dug9xl
HH
CRC
cowiebhoy supporting the celtic to 3 in a row
22:41 on 12 February, 2014
“anyone any idea what time CQteN will finish at ”
I heard it finishes when CQeleveN starts.
Can emdae tell me how to stop pop ups?? Feckin annoying!!
email us on cqnbadges@gmail.com
will get price themorra Doc – I had their names down
will also get my winning team in themorra :-)
Hail Hail
A macaroon, with 100 penny caramels to the macaroon.
50 could be a half a macaroon.
Combines the decimals with a bit of the auld money.
Or just use the irn bru bottle.
cowiebhoy supporting the celtic to 3 in a row
22:41 on 12 February, 2014
“anyone any idea what time CQteN will finish at ”
_______________
The morning after the night before!
:-)
CRC what’s latest scores, could form part of a conversation Friday with the salesman :-) who at last count was struggling
Hail Hail
CowieBhoy, good luck with the team, you can let me know on Friday re price.
I’m a bit annoyed I can’t put a team in!
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
22:54 on 12 February, 2014
When did arsen venger last win a trophy??
_________________
Before he spent £1/4 Billion on transfers in – to date!
CowieBhoy, it’s so bad someone emailed an order in yesterday ordering a couple of the black’n’gold badges, I emailed him back begging him to reconsider!
He bought both!
But I’m still getting battered:-(
Buy the Green Badges Bhoys, kwaulity design, not a copy of a copyright item that might see the “designer” do gaol time for intellectual theft:-)
Lovely to see Newcastle getting pumped 4-0 at home.
praecepta
Knowed it was a lot of dough. But bloody hell!! What do they celebrate at the end of the season?
2006 Arsenal’s last trophy?
benny
you need to get your CQeleveN team in for the CQteN night, plus order your badges :-)
struggling to remember it all now
Hail Hail
Evening all. How do I buy the roll of honour? I hope you are all doing the same?
Jude
Download Avast, it’s free and it works.
HH
Actually just had a scroll through some of the recent orders, a comeback is on.
Won’t know until tomorrow when I update the orders, been busy with the Predictor tonight.
My sister was Miss Macaroon in the sixties. Pic was in the D R. Was a broadsheet then.
Neganon2
Here you go…………..
Fans Against Criminalisation have by now officially launched our single ‘’Roll of Honour’’ in association with The Irish Brigade.
FAC have done so to highlight the absurdity that is the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communication (Scotland) Act and the manner in which it has criminalised the Celtic support. One fan has already been found ‘guilty’ of contravening this act for singing this very song, whilst another fan is currently being held on remand for allegedly committing the same offence. There is also a backlog of Celtic fans awaiting trial for the same reason.
FAC contend that it is a damning indictment of the Scottish political and judicial system that legitimate expression of political opinion and cultural heritage within the context of a football match is now enough to result in a criminal conviction.
We urge the Celtic support to download this song to embarrass those who seek to criminalise us, to demonstrate that we stand by those who are being arrested at their homes and dragged through the courts and that we will not tolerate the continual harassment of our fellow fans at the hands of Police Scotland. The support for this campaign has already been overwhelming and we would like to thank all involved for their efforts so far. For those based in the UK, we have one week to attempt to push this single into the UK Official Top 40 Singles Chart. For those based elsewhere, FAC still urges people to aid this campaign by downloading this single which will help create a greater awareness of this issue whilst contributing to the FAC Legal Defence Fund.
We all have a part to play. Download the song here – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/roll-of-honour-single/id814414107
TET
Will do ta. H H
neganon2
You can download it on iTunes, once for yourself and once if you ‘gift’ it to someone. You can also download it on CD Baby. Here are the two links –
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/ro…le/id814414107
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/theirishbrigadeinassocia
HH
When’s the last time Celtic should have won 10-1 against a team with a budget of a 20th of ours?
Arsene Wengers net spend has been less than all of his major competitors since… probably forever
And….
Anybody can win a cup …..
Except us of course
For those of us in Ireland, Neil Lennon is the studio pundit for the Man C v Barca game on TV3 on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s last trophy was the 2005 FA Cup.