We have Tommy Gemmell on the blog from 13:00 this afternoon. He will introduce himself in the comments section and be available for a ‘chat’ and questions.
Pat Woods, one of Celtic’s finest historians, sent me this excerpt from his book, Celtic, Pride and Passion:
“Although there was no formal award at the time to mark his performance, Tommy Gemmell, memorably described by Geoffrey Green in The Times (London) as “A big blond cat set among the Italian pigeons ‘, was widely regarded as the man of the match of the 1967 European Cup Final.
The continental journalists were particularly effusive, amazed as they were by the stamina, energy, determination and shooting power he displayed as he continually surged forward into attack.
Jean Cornu of L’Equipe, the most prestigious sports paper of them all, described Tommy as ‘The executioner of Inter, the man who smashed their defensive screen’, while the correspondent of the Swiss newspaper Gazette de Lausanne singled him out as the symbol of his assertion that Celtic’s display had rehabilitated football’s image and its honour.
Noting the delight on Gemmell’s face after the final whistle as the full back, With Sandro Mazzola’s ‘swap’ shirt draped over his shoulders, celebrated on the pitch, the correspondent wrote: ‘His smile was the smile on the face of the whole of football, that of real attacking football in all that world, conquering passion and conviction which we have come to love so much’.”
Tommy was in every sense a modern footballer, capable of playing with either foot, he had the kind of engine players of the 60s just didn’t possess. This gave him range, which combined with speed and a legendary shooting ability made him one of the genuine world class footballers in Jock Stein’s armoury. At the very peak of European football, the only occasion when a collection of players from the one local area became champions of Europe, Tommy Gemmell made the stage his own.
Best wishes to Danny McGrain, another of Celtic’s legendary full backs, who is recovering from a minor heart attack. We don’t know how lucky we are to have Danny on the training ground and in the dressing room with the first team players.
Today, Tommy Gemmell releases his autobiography, ‘All the best’, a fresh work, written with his friend of 50 years, Alex Gordon, which examines his life and times, in particular during that unique period in the history of sport in this country, when Celtic cast an enormous shadow over European football. It is a fantastic read, full of inspirational recollections and anecdotes.
You can order a copy signed by the man himself below. Remember to tune in from 13:00 today with questions, comments and stories for Tommy – and if you ask him about his European Cup Final goal, remember to tell him if you’re referring to the Lisbon or Milan Final!
This is what blogs were made for. Fill your boots and wallow in some unabashed Celtic glory. The stage is yours once more, Tommy.
[calameo code=0003901717b11f6e50af4 lang=en page=40 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]Tommy Gemmell: All the Best:
972 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- ...
- 26
- »
Just before I go to bed, I thought I would get this off my chest…. I thought today wasn’t the right time to voice derogatory opinions.
There is a time and place to hang out your washing…ye, the smsm jumped on any negativity that Tommy said and didn’t print any positives… Are you surprised?
The trap was set and a few got caught.
Good luck and looking forward to reading your book Tommy Gemmel…a legend along with the other ten and big Jock… Hats off, you killed the our humph. HH
I wouldn’t normally comment on DR stories
I never buy it ( or any other paper ) so wouldn’t know what was in it
How did others know ?
CQN for me and news on Celtic
Hail Hail
West of Ireland
Hear what you say but if I had anything to do with it we’d do more for our Lions.
A testimonial match would be fitting and well de reserved in my opinion.
Don’t think The Big Shot got big bucks from his tabloid deal. It was a pittance.
W.O.I csc
If we as Celtic supporters didnt bang on about Lisbon, maybe just maybe the huns would still be around in their original form .
I seen the game live on tv that thursday night and i will never tire of reminding the zombies thats were their “downfall ” started .
But i also agree mate that we should look forward as well .
H.H.
cowiebhoy- read back mate ,must have missed it ,thanks,i will look out for him HH
Bulgarians and Romanians are pretending to be Irish, claims Farage 15-05-14
Daily Mail by William Lugner Domestic Affairs.
BRITAIN has been invaded by millions of Bulgarians and Romanians, but no one can tell because they are all pretending to be Irish, Nigel Farage has claimed.
The UKIP leader dismissed new facts which showed a fall in the number of Eastern European immigrants instead of 14 of them to a room, as he had predicted.
He said: “The typical Bulgarian pretending to be Irish will talk about ‘the craic’, but you can tell they don’t really know what ‘the craic’ is. They just use it randomly, often referring to everyday household objects as ‘the craic’.
“I got my car cleaned last week and the so-called Irishman tried to charge me ’20 craic’. I said to him ‘you’re not really Irish are you?’ but he ran away and hid behind a Volvo before I could swab the inside of his mouth.
“Also, your Eastern European tries to dress like an Irishman, but he always forgets to put on the little green hat.”
He added: “I strongly suspect the Irishman we employed to pretend to be British in one of our adverts was actually a Bulgarian. I spoke to him at length and he didn’t seem to know any of the Irish people that I know.”
Winning captains
Sad to see the controversy over big Tam.
A legend, a personal favourite, and someone who needs to be cut a bit of slack for all the right reasons.
The DR is poison for sure.
But the big man deserves a better deal from some on here
He will always be the greatest in my eyes.
That will never change.
Ever.
God bless Tommy Gemmell.
God bless Jock Stein.
God bless Celtic.
Night.
timbhoy in spain
23:18 on
16 May, 2014
bognorbhoy oscar in my thoughts.
Sometimes I think we forget just how good our Hendrik was.
——
excatamundo.
henrik was a 1 in 3, sometimes 1 in 2, often 1 chance 1 goal striker.
i wathced the 242 goals the other night.
200 of them like sided goals, same postions, same finishes.
42 ish genius,
Bada
Vogue and gordy have a message, it is also for you, I do not have email contact, could drop you the message on linked in ? Or I’ll see if Doc has your contact
Doc ?
Hail Hail
Awe Naw
Song in the making
Love
Cowiebhoy,
Just papers that’s left on the buses :)
Looking forward to catching up tomorrow.HH
To WC et al
It’s way easier living in engerlund and not being subjected to the anti Celtic propaganda.
The book serialisation means the anti celtic media can have a field day, in Tommy Gemmell’s day the DR was the place to get a story published/ recognised.
I believe they had proper/ real professionals at that time…… How the media have fallen eh!
I never read the DR, that’s got to be a thumbs up mi amigos.
Up early so Hasta Luego
Spellcheck CSC
SOAL
Cheers ;-)
HH
WC – don’t lose sight the book will be a fantastic way of generations to come being able to hear the lions tale!
This afternoon was a great opportunity shared and enjoyed by many!
Organise a benefit game none more deserving!
But please please understand our generations dislike for the DR and our reticence to have anything to do with them!
And for the CQN record bhoys ! Manflu does not exist!!
Don’t agree with people who think we idolize the Lions too much.
PS: I took a screenshot of Big Tam’s relpy to me today…showing awe the family it.
Whit..?
winning captains- I thought some of the rubbish on here this morning was poor and very disrespectful,towards you and the guys who make events like Q&A with our heroes possible.The deal with Tommy and Big Yogi to have their words in the DR ,serialised is entirely their choice,to maximise their income.The sanctimonious ones on here are hiding behind a keyboard IMO.We all know these rags will enjoy printing anti-Celtic stories,it’s what they do.The same guys will pick up a paper, in the canteen or a supermarket and not feel guilty.You clearly stated the book situaton ,re ownership,yet malcontents (sic) still want a moan.I am not advocating buying the rags BTW,but a wee bit of gratitude and perspective is needed .HH
Sorry guys. What on earth has happened today with TG etc?
I like St. Vincent. Very impressed.
HH
winning captains
Absolutely phenomenal blog today
Talk live to a Lisbon Lion
That’s why I’m here and not elsewhere
Stopped buying papers a few years ago because of this blog
If I wrote somethin I could sell
Would I sell to the DR
Definitely
They hate travellers as well as the rest of the papers
They hate Celtic
But we will overcome
We need to get it out there
If it makes money so be it
Especially for a Lisbon Lion who never made as much as the overpaid nobody’s of today
Read it all today
Will read it all tomorrow
Honoured
Hail Hail
Bada
You now have an email :-)
Minx,
I mind years ago arguing that you can’t believe all the papers say, my ma was a well educated reader and drummed it into all her kids.
I was late getting into the internet compared to many on the sites but by god you can learn quick…that’s why the msm have latched on.
That will be the new battle.
Cowiebhoy- thank you ,Mrs Bada is off oot tomorrow night, but you will have a brilliant day with those bhoys.HH
TWISTS N TURNS
Ant woman who played hockey understood the offside rule-as was,back in the day.
Anyone at all who understands it nowadays won’t tomorrow.
Travellerbhoy
00:02 on
Good meeting you and your fine son at the hootenanny. List “D” schools were special, not everyone got the chance to go to one ;)
Yes I felt honoured and priviledged talking to Tommy,Gemmell today. My son could detect the buzz it gave me. When you are removed from Celtic as we are it was captivating. He comes across as a very astute man and thouroughly enjoyable company. I have never met him but I feel I have today thanks to Tommys input.
THE BEST DAY ON THE BLOG FOR ME.
F5 key is worn out.
Again thanks to Tommy and the bhoys that organised it.
HH
Sipsini, will be a great day :-)
Now my Auld Da, whose birthday falls on a very special day for us Celtic Fans and the Lions, is blind.
I go out to Cowie most Sundays to take him to mass and talk about the Celtic
We return to his house, and my Auld Maw has the papers laid out for him
Brilliant he’s blind :-)
But he then tells me not to believe anything in the papers
My brother delivers the papers, 3 of them to him every day, as he can’t get oot
And he still doesn’t believe what is in them
Confused.com
Haw..Awe_Naw..!
Don’t You Go Standing On My Blue Suede Nigels..
winning captains
Can you get my hero the Maestro on here
Here’s hoping
Hail Hail
travellerbhoy
00:11 on 17 May, 2014
The Maestro, some shout Bhud
Hail Hail
MINX1888 2355
Right enough about manflu.
It’s bird flu that’s the killer.
travellerbhoy agree great shout
Traveller bhoy – we met with Wiilie just before Christmas and discussed that very point.
Final point for today – Fernando Ricksen’s book was scheduled for autumn but has been brought forward to now. God love him.
Just watched Tommy Sheridan meeting at Cumbernauld. Very impressed!!!
eddieinkirkmichael
Good meeting you too
Without the special hat thank god
List D schools
Well
Not everybody deserved to go to them
Cowiebhoy
Can you email me you postcode for tomorrow buddy. Cheers
MWD
Cowiebhoy- received and replied mate ,thank you HH
WC, did you see my post/request to you earlier tonight??? My no. can be got from BMCUW or others! TBM
winning captains
22:27 on 16 May, 2014
Been in the pub. This is very unusual for me. Today was a day of very mixed emotions. We had a legend – in his seventies and not in the best if health – totally bemused at the hostile reception awaiting him on here at lunchtime.
He is of a generation that reads and likes the Daily Record. He could not get his book published – none of the publishers he approached thought he was relevant these days.
CQN thought we knew better. We added to the book and made it significantly better.
Today he was invited onto CQN thinking he would be among friends. He had done a deal with the Daily Record and although it made my skin crawl I respected a Lion. Like Yogi – Tommy was a favourite of my dad. How could I explain what they had become?
Today the paper did what I knew they’d do and we had a bemused lion. Why did they write that? Why does Cqn blame me?
Let’s be clear the Record don’t like us and we certainly don’t like them. I saw the background emails and saw it coming. But to explain to a Lion was futile – especially as the money although modest was important to him. Very…
So I suppose the abuse I took on here today – two faced etc – was worth it. It protected a lion. But the welcome – or lack of it – has left a bad taste.
I have been instrumental in getting Willie Wallace, John Hughes, Billy McNeill and now Tommy Gemmell onto this blog. CQN earlier today embarrassed me. That’s why I’ve been in the pub.
Tomorrow Tommy is coming back on to answer the remaining questions. He is among Jock Stein’s biggest fans. Yet he was within two minutes of walking away and going back to his bed.
————————————————–
My old fella still buys the Daily Record, I have said that they have an agenda against Celtic. Dad still buys the Daily Record.
My Dad loves Bird Watching and his records of Birds in Dumbarton is incredible. It is obvious he really dislikes computers, I tell you what, he isnae far wrong.
Thank You for bringing these Legends on to CQN. It is the old fellas birthday in July, there are a few books to order for the Great Man.
Keep doing what you are doing, it is very much appreciated.
Bomb the Bass