We have many iconic moments in our history. Big Billy with the Big Cup defined everything that has happened since, but that image of Stevie Chalmers, captured from through the Estadio Nacional nets is remarkable on many levels.
You will be pushed to find a similar photograph anywhere. Stevie is looking in the direction of the camera, his stare and foot are pointing at the ball, but also at you. The viewer is the unseen actor, you become part of the story, the ball is travelling towards you.
Stevie is framed between two Inter defenders in the background, with another and Giuliano Sarti, the goalkeeper, forming a wider frame in the foreground.
Sarti is the other hero of the photo, the protagonist caught witnessing his defeat. Incredibly, he too is staring and pointing at the ball with his foot, his five fingers in shadow, a despairing hand silhouetted by the sun shining on the crowd. But, unlike Stevie’s, Sarti’s actions are passive, he is beaten.
There are nine players in the photo and thousands of fans but all appear stationary, watching the act unfold. Only Bobby Murdoch’s right arm and the ball have a sense of movement. The former, the first to herald the news, even before the ball has reached the line: Goal!
I knew this photo was special years before I knew what made a great image. If Rembrandt was asked to capture the 1967 European Cup Final on canvass, this is what it work would look like. Once seen, it can never be forgotten, it is that good.
Today, Stevie’s mortal remains will leave St Mary’s in the Calton before passing through the Celtic Way to his final resting place, but his immortal act will be with us forever.
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Whilst I have certain talents relating to music I personally think I received an art-bypass at birth. So I’me very thankful to Paul67 for today’s excellent article. In particular I’ve never notice before that, in this picture, Stevie follows you around the room, shooting the ball straight down my line of vision.
Hopefully wee now get a wee break from God plundering Celtic for the best ex-players for his inter-galactic X1
JOBO, yes as a 14 year old watching that goal I feel so privileged, rest in peace stevie.hh.
WillieFernie
Just reading back and saw your note. I may be on a case the week you are in town, but, if not, would be happy to catch up.
A few lads on here have my email, so feel free to get it, and drop me a note, and we will see what we can arrange.
Good evening CQN
RIP Stevie Chalmers ????
What a beautiful eulogy from MAH’s funeral. Reading that with tears flowing, although it is not sad really, it’s just knowing that he was of strong charcter to be thinking about these things in his last days/weeks. Wow, I am sad that I never had the pleasure of meeting such a caring, strong person like Stephen. May his soul rest in peace. ????
Delaneys Dunky I have not seen you on for a while I hoe you are well?????
D. :)
CL finalists to receive 16 Thousand tickets each…. Stadium holds 60K
Ffs football is fecked
D. :)
well I did my duty, I congratulated my inlaws on liverpools win through gritted teeth so much so joans sister said to me, do I detect a little hint of jealousy there ,no I said you detect a big hint of jelousy.lol..ach we won it first we showed the way, anyway enough of Liverpool lets talk about my team, im genuinely scared for next season if izzaguire and hooper are our big signings, ffs lets go the whole hog jim craig and john clark are available lets give them a short contract seriously is anybody else worried.hh.
Great performance by Liverpool last night despite all the injuries although current Barca outfit are a pale shadow of the side we beat at Celtic Park a few years ago. Liverpool have a fantastic bench and if only Celtic had all that Sky money?
Hope Ajax do the business to-night despite some of their fans. People seem to forget that the Dutch have a population of 20million so not exactly a small league.
I heard we were in for Ant & Dec as a twin strike force.
What an embarrassment of a club we have become.
Talk about downsizing- we’ll be playing 11 heated driveways soon.
It’s a disgrace, o it is.
https://youtu.be/2tLWlfxrPBg
Celtic TV ,Celtic Park today
According to yon Embra paper, The Hootsmon, Sevco paid out 916,000 in agent fees last year and we paid out £1.7m
That’s no even double what they’re paying
How can we look wee Davie Murray in the eye as he was always willing to spend twice as much as us?
Barcelona’s defence is very poor, I’m very sure they will have been impressed by Virgil and maybe convinced them to buy him, although it will cost plenty, never did like Busquets or Suarez and I’m not unhappy they are out.
POGMATHONYAHUN AKA LAIRD OF THE SMILESon 8TH MAY 2019 9:11 AM
I never met MAH but your eulogy gives a great insight into his life, struggles and the great work he did – a wonderful reflection of a life lived well. Thanks for sharing.
Delaney`s Dunky
Are you around?
At present, Willie Ferine,Pog, VFR and myself intend going to Coia`s ( 10:30am I guess) pre the Hearts game on Presentation Day. Anyone else is welcome but, as I am off to Spain tomorrow, perhaps you could let VFR know so that hhe can arrange accordingly.
JJ
PS Wille Fernie. Coi`s is on Duke Street.
Pog
If you have a photo` of Stephen, could you bring it along to Coia`s? I must have done the Wee Oscar Bike Ride with him but I don`t know which one he was.
JJ
ATTENTION !!
I have just been informed by VFR that the final game is on Sunday at 3;00pm so forget that 10:30 nonsense!
Make it 12:30 and that will leave time for anyone who want to visit CQN Corner or get into the ground early.
JJ
D17,capacity just over 67,800….football without the fatcats is nothing….
Hot Smoked: I hope to be there too.
Almore,
Great. VFR said as much and has currently booked for Ten Tims.
JJ
Bada and David,0
Supporters` love for their teams means that UEFA, FIFA, SFA, etc can do what they want .A dreadful situation.
JJ
`Endeavour` time for me so cheerio for now,
JJ
Rest in Peace
Stevie Chalmers – will forever be a Celtic Legend
WillieFernie, seen your post earlier, and a response from MIT
The Bramalea supporters club has only just moved to new premises
I will drop my family a note to get new address for you
Unless Tim Horton has it ?
TH drinks in a fantastic wee Irish club, run by ex-pat Bhoys which is also worth a visit
Enjoy your trip
H8il H8il
Victor starts for Spurs so, for that reason, it’s Come On You Spurs!
I think Klopp will enjoy that goal…
Ajax are so dangerous from set peices…
Not seen a team who cover the pitch so well for a long time…
sorry ghuys, vandijk and Wanyama are yesterdays guys in my eyes, they have left Glasgow celtic so im not interested in them.
Spurs doing their best to surpass Liverpool. 2 down at half time but now 2-2. Ajax 3-2 ahead on aggregate.
Goal Spurs!!
unbelievable stuff.
Brilliant Spurs. What a couple of nights football..
I have never watched 2 consecutive games with so much Drama. Liverpool had 90 minutes to come back from 0 3. Spurs only had 45 minutes and did it
Arguments over whether Spurs should even be in the Champiins League are for another day.
Entertainment!
All the money in the world can’t buy what just happened.
Jobo, that applies equally to Liverpool. That said, and it needs to be said, great football entertainment on consecutive nights. HH
Did Liverpool not score 3 in 45 to?
I think Eriksen was right- Ajax played better than Spurs over the 2 legs – but were punished for being too passive in the end. Lucas Moura and Moussa Sissoko were warriors and brave but the best football came from the Dutch.
Two tremendous semi-finals but, yet again the “Champions” League final will feature 2 non-champions.
Two teams that haven’t won their domestic league for a combined 76 years contest the champions League final.
Ajax guilty of taking the foot of the pedal at HT thinking game over. The last two days have been pure entertainment but still find Rio Ferdinand a pain in the arse when commenting
Spurs had 90 minutes to come back from 0:1?