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:
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Winning captains
Don’t be away for too long. You are one of the posters who enhance CQN.
This place is mental.
CQN should just go the whole hog and offer Andy Coulson the gig of editor of the blog.
I don’t read the Record, I think it is shit, but if I walk down to the end of my street and go into the pub I will see a lot of old men sitting with a pint and a Record on the table, about 70% of them will be Celtic fans. I wonder if I should question their credentials as Celtic men?
If Tommy Gemmell wants to promote his book in the Daily Record that’s ok.
Most folk on here would probably choose not to if they were in his position, that’s ok too.
CQN played a pivotal role in Tommy Gemmell getting his book into print, but then the Record did what they do best and went for controversy when promoting it.
So that means the folk involved from CQN are complicit in facilitating the anti-Celtic agenda that thrives in the heads of some Record hacks minds.
It takes a big jump to get to there does it not?
Ach well, if a bearded lady can be the toast of Europe one day, A Tory Lord and strategist can be on the Celtic board and Rangers can keep their history I suppose it’s not too far fetched to expect Tommy Gemmell and Paul 67 to be hacking my e-mails on a daily basis.
Mental isny the word!
Morning all. Dull, damp and dark down here at the moment.
Long may TG and every other Celtic player who has graced the jersey feel at home on CQN and among Celtic supporters. We owe them more than we can ever repay. They have given us joy and memories to warm the heart forever.
Recently, on this blog, there was a hullabaloo about Celtic advertising the u17’s game v thems. My own brother ACGR stated it was the last straw and stated he wouldn’t renew his season ticket, he described it as a black day for Celtic. BRTH described it as one of the saddest posts he had read.
Celtic have been subjected to disgraceful treatment from the msm over the years, but in particular from the DR. “Thugs and thieves” the “RIP” with the picture of the hearse. These are far worse than Celtic,( who are probably obliged, through the league ) printing an advert for an U17’s game.
Celtic probably don’t have a choice in advertising the game and probably do support it, for the revenue, believe it or not there are still people that want to see this fixture ( not me ).
The DR do have choices and have chosen wrong on at least 2 occasions.
I too enjoyed the Q & A yesterday, well done, WC, Paul and everybody involved
Jobo
Had a look at that bet on Willy Hill, they’re offering 18/5 AND 7/2 Dundee Utd to score and win! Weird.
Hadn’t realised until after I’d placed bet. (took the 18/5!)
Fancied the same bet as you, and got 72/1. £5 on it.
Sorry, but it’s usually the kiss of death when I put a coupon on!
HH
big wavy
“Sure it’s just a bunch of bloody middle aged men with made up monickers.”
:))))
smoke and mirrors @ 10. 26 hrs, big wavy @ 10.41 hrs.
I hear what you are saying ref cliques, occupations etc.
Maybe slightly over the top, however am I correct in summarising that you both think that CQN is disproportionate in “class status” and unrepresentative of the wider Celtic support.?
For the record, I think the CQN team do an excellent job as a labour of love and that CQN can epitomise the very best in our support. In word and deed.
HH, always in Celtic.
PS : That is minor, LG getting a head job ( sorry hair ) to make himself more appealing to the opposite sex is mind boggling. Lock up your daughters.
http://www.thefootballlife.co.uk/post/85990219501/the-spfl-network#_=_
On a new way forward for showing Scottish football that doesn’t involve paying broadcasters off to show Sevco.
In case you want to know where all the CQN book money has gone, I can exclusively reveal it has gone to prop up the sales of Doc’s CQteN green badges.
If you still want a couple of the “CQN stated aided” green badges or the “daring and bold” black and gold badges, drop us an email at cqnbadges@gmail.com
All profits from the remaining badges will go towards something in memory of Wee Oscar. A couple of paving stones at Paradise with the balance to the NI childrens hospice is our latest thoughts.
HH
CRC
ps if you are still waiting for a reply from us from a previous email, please hassle us
Is it true that the SFA have been paying BT sports 225 k to show the sevco games ?
twentyfirstofmaynineteenseventynine
Keep an eye out for Mr Maynard. ( I’ll hopefully be available to post when it happens, but just in case I’m not)
He’s dropped to 97 in the ratings. He can definitely win off that mark and I’d expect he’ll be brought out soon. Not a matter of IF he wins, just when and could well be next time out.
TG is a Celtic legend who is not in the best of health he appeared on CQN and answered questions without fear and without favour.The man is part of our Celtic family and he does not deserve criticsm if a certain red top are useing his book to try to lower the name of Mr.Stein that says more about them than it says about Tommy . Well done and thanks Tommy and I hope you get an improvement in your health. H.H.
CRC
At the risk of you punching me, given the work involved, a wee World Cup predictor? ( runs for cover)
twists n turns
11:27 on 17 May, 2014
Already well down the planning stage and will be announced early next week hopefully.
Reckon me and Doc will make a personal fortune from it! :-)
CommericalquicknewsCSC
HH
CRC
Just to make it clear,for the last time.I have no problems with ex players writing books.I have no problem with CQN helping get these books published,or bringing the players onto CQN to publicize the book.What I do have a problem with ,is some of the content in the book.
If denigrating the memory of Jock Stein in certain sections of the book,somehow make it more salacious to certain people,and would entice them to read or buy it,generating cash for the writer,then I hold no truck with that.
Many people on here are forgetting that Jock has family members who could be upset at these revelations.Revelations,I might add,that are uncorroborated,just the writers recollections of events,perhaps clouded by a sense of injustice,that happened 40 years ago.
If anyone involved with the serialization of the book in the DR,thought for one minute that this rag would focus on 1967,and not on the more sensationalist comments on Big Jock,then “Innocents abroad”is just about the right name for them.This is the DR we are talking about.You shake hands with the Devil,this is what you get.
Mentioning Lennys book,serialized in the DR is really a pathetic attempt at “Whataboutery”.Where in Lennys book did he mention anything derogatory about Celtic,or anyone connected to the club?.
As I said in previous post,Tommy Gemmell was the best left back ever to don the hoops.I am so sad that this book has brought him down in MY,personal estimation as a person.
BRTH
Pretty sure I was talking to you last Saturday in mick cools
I’m laughing away here as I once posted something to Paul here and he replied with by far his biggest post in return … I seem to have a knack to stir up others defence mechanisms ;)
Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m entitled to my opinion … Now most opinions are based on a mixture of known facts , feelings , suspicions and maybe even emotions
My opinion on the way CQN has gone is based on that mix
As I see it ….. It appears there’s always another book … Another magazine … Another Q&A ( normally coinciding with a book launch)
Maybe I have got my ideas all wrong … Any small amounts of money made go to charity or a deserving cause like TG ( who I am happy to support directly)
I have stated before I would be happy to subscribe to CQN … For those subs to be managed to support good causes ( would it not be better to do the TG story on line and cut out all the publishing costs etc)
I’m maybe talking mince cos I’m not an educated man …
But I call things as I see them … Not a sneaky wee back stabber or someone who doesn’t share his opinions but holds grudges instead
The guys I really respect on here are the ones who give so much to Celtic and the good causes at their own expense and do it quietly and without any wish for reward ( on this earth )
You may indeed fall into that category … Many do .
God bless them all
Me … I’m just a bad bhoy … But today I’m an Arab so :)))))
CRC
Good man. Adds a bit of interest , what , with no team to support. World Cup looks pretty open to me. No certs. No strong favourites in my opinion. Some value in going for a bit of a shock winner?
Are Peru in it:-)
Turkeybhoy
Have you read the book or basing your opinion on what you have read in the DR ?
HH
Looking forward to the Derk Boerrigter book
Here we go again, folks!
Sorry we ran out of time yesterday. I was supposed to finish at 4pm, but I was having too much fun with the best fans in the world so I kept going for another two hours.
I’ll be on today from midday to oneish and, once again, I’ll try to answer as many of your queries as possible.
Then I’m afraid I’ll have to break off to prepare for the Scottish Cup Final.
I remember the good old days when I was participating rather than watching!
Tommy
A bit sad that we ate not participating today.
Can I ask you how you see the CL qaulifiers going.
Will we qaulify ?
HH
Play
I think I answered that question at some point yesterday and it is also part of the book.
The main thing was to play for Celtic and anything was a bonus.
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed playing for my country and my debut against England at Hampden in 1966 is a treasured memory.
We lost 4-3 and Wee Jinky scored two marvellous goals. It was a smashing atmosphere at the national stadium that day.
ITV4 Champions League Final on now, after the adverts they`re doing a piece on the Lisbon 1967 final
doh – should read Champions League final preview programme!
Qualify even
HH
To Paul, winning captains, BRTH, Auldheid and all the others who do the organising etc around CQN my thanks. I know how much hard work it is for you all and I can’t imagine anyone is making any money.
I think you have done a superb job in bringing us closer to legends like TG and in publishing books that would never see the light if day otherwise.
It’s good we debate these things though. That said I often feel guilty I don’t do enough for the site and appreciate those who do.
Now the real question is………what happened to the Seville money?????
Where is NeilR when you need him…….
Just in to say…..
It really sticks in my craw….the amount of money wasted
on the player recruitment area of the club.
For example….the street parties that are held on here and, elsewhere
to celebrate getting into the CL group stage…should be sprinkled with
some ‘reallity-salts’ imho
How much do the club make from the CL qualification ? £10mill? £15mill?
Who knows?
But, just think…almost £10mill(counting wages) of that income is squandered on – Balde/Pukki/Derk.
I would rather – obviously now, with hindsight – that squandered money went into a
pot and was ‘divvied-up’ amongst the remaining Lisbon Lions and, past LL’s families
and, tragic events like ‘Wee Oscars’ family and stuff like that. Why not?
I have now curtailed the amount of papers that I read now. Not before time, eh? :)
Murdo Macleod and Hugh Keevins are not in the DR anymore so, I don’t buy it.
Murdo Macleod stopped his column in the Evening Times some years ago, that was the last time I bought that.
My wife sometimes brings the Sun in from work and, she buys it on a Sunday so, I get to read Davie Provan.
When Hugh Keevins retires from the SSB….that programme will go the same way as the,
Real-Radio phone-in. imho
I can’t afford a SB anymore, some folk on here have told me that means, that I don’t support the Celtic anymore? Thats bad craic imho
I do drop into some of the games with my bro and my, bro-in law.
I aways wind them up about being taken-in by the ‘bored’….thats bad craic on my part
but, they take it the way its meant – with a smile :)
The Tommy Gemmell stuff yesterday was grand.
The 1st time that I was really ‘caught’ by big TG was when, we returned from the City Ground in Nottingham in 1983 to watch the tape of the game from the night before 0-0
when, big TG was a guest in the studio and he was amazing, truly amazing. imho
Anyway…looking forward to the game today.
Hail Hail.
Tommy Gemmell
11:41 on 17 May, 2014
Morning Tommy
Are you available for CQN 5s on Thursday? I think Hamilton Tim is struggling with a dead leg, still!!? :-)
Who had the most influence on your career and if anything what would you have done different?
HH
CRC
The Lisbon lions coming on ITV4 ‘NOW’ !!!
Off oot.
winning captains
Taking a break from the blog ? Well, that’s just nuts.
Yesterday (and before) you have engineered some great things for the blog.
I find it darkly funny, when someone does something intrinsically good and somehow that act is perversely criticised, either through ignorance or by complainers who have only a hurtful, skewed agenda.
A few years ago I ran a kids football team and wrote a wee match report which the the local paper carried. The kids loved it. However, a few weeks later one or two of the parents started to be a little “off” with me. Turns out they were upset that little Johnny’s tackle, goal or whatever hadn’t been mentioned ! Soon after I chucked it and the team folded.
Ignorance, stupidity created hurt and frustration and killed the main thing.
Seriously though you should continue to do what you do for CQN and our support.
The thing I’d point out is Celtic supporters are better together. You sir, bring us together.
Turkeybhoy
I don’t see how it denigrates the memories of Big Jock to say that he blocked the transfers of players whom he wanted to keep at the club, while encouraging the transfer of those whom he did not wish to keep.
As other posters have said, isn’t that what all managers do?
Ruthlessness is a quality in a football manager, not a defect.
Parkheadcumsalford
Joe McBride was a master marksman and he was on fire in 1966 as we headed for our historic clean sweep in 1967.
Then, of course, he was injured against Aberdeen at Pittodrie around about Christmas and that was his season wrecked.
Yes, Joe got more than his fair share of goals, but so, too, did the likes of Bobby Lennox, Stevie Chalmers, Willie Wallace and John Hughes. So we had an abundance of guys who could stick the ball in the pokey.
I like to think I contributed a little, too!
But you’re right, Joe was special.
Tnt Thanks mate, I’ll def look out for it
HH
Tommy
Back in the day I was picked to be Celtic bhoy of the week … Jinky was my hero
The next home game I was invited with my dad to the stadium … Billy took me into the dressing room to meet jinky … But as I stood there you lifted me from behind and into the air
My question to you Today …. Do you reckon you could lift me up now :))))))
Seriously tommy …. Thanks for all the memories and God bless you
bern
11:25 on 17 May, 2014
Seen this on TSFM last night but like the poster dont know the fact but it would not suprise me in the least
(Keep our eyes on our true foes)
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Cannot verify if the information in these tweets (read from bottom up) is correct. If so it shows how far the SFA are assisting one club to the determent of others.
CelticResearch @CelticResearch 10m
That dear Scottish football fans amounted to another £200k+ subsidy of the Rangers brand which had to be promoted in the “games interests.”
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CelticResearch @CelticResearch 12m
The SPL then agreed to pay ESPN (then BT) an amount per viewer if there total audience for the season fell short of their modest target.
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CelticResearch @CelticResearch 14m
There was even more SPL generosity offered towards making sure that the the Sevco brand was given publicity in the form of viewer subsidy.
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CelticResearch @CelticResearch 28m
That was ditched immediately because of info given to the SPL executive. We then went cap in hand to the broadcasters giving away our game.
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CelticResearch @CelticResearch 30m
At the time of the Rangers admin, dissatisfaction with TV deals meant the SPL were well down the road of producing their own content
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CelticResearch @CelticResearch 36m
In Doncaster’s eyes, the Rangers brand had to be saved above all else and giving the broadcasters sweeteners was part of that. There’s more.
weeron
Yes, Ottowa was most enjoyable. You guys do a wonderful job in spreading the word.
Keep up the good work and maybe we’ll meet again!
Hi Tommy, I ruptured my achillies playing 5’s (awwwe) and now in plaster for 8 weeks, what was your worst injury and how did you cope being ‘laid up’?
Kevj
Thanks recorded.