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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TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
11:49 on 17 May, 2014
I didn’t realise was a crane driver?
Enjoy the game today, ya dirty arab :-)
HH
CRC
Morning Tommy,
Many thanks for coming back on today, especially with the two Cup Finals later.
Much appreciated.
My question is :- Do you think that fun, characters and enjoyment in football is a thing of the past and commercial factors are the cause.
One reason I am asking this, is the stated Newcastle position where they say the cups have no importance the league is paramount. They are not going to win the league so ;Surely this is short-changing their fans who crave any form of silver ware and the excitement that goes with it ?
HH to you..
neganon2
Peter Lawwell has been exceptional and he has done a lot for the Lisbon Lions which is all appreciated.
I think it is a fabulous gesture for the club to take the Lions to Lisbon for next Saturday’s Champions League Final. We’ll all have a brilliant time as we always do when we meet up.
doh. that should be
I didn’t realise TG was a crane driver?
Hail hail Tommy!
Can I repeat my question from yesterday? Of the top 4 or 5 clubs presently on the continent, and the EPL top 4 this season, which would be most-suited to your style of play?
“Live and Let Live” por cierto
Tommy Gemmell
Good morning. Who was the best (or least worst) referee in your playing days and who was the worst referee? Do you think refereeing standards in Scotland have improved or got worse since you stopped playing?
Tommy – if you could choose a superpower shat would it be ?
( I reckon the world is now ready for Gemmell Man ! A green and white hooped crusader who would kick the bad guys right up the ar**e) :)
Thanks for the great memories – hh
Mr Gemmell,
Did you prefer playing on rain sodden muddy pitches or was the smooth billiard-like parks, bathed in sunshine more to your liking? And did you think it was vital, when you woke up on a match day, to stick your head through the curtains and see what the weather was like? ;-)
May I end by wishing you many more years of good health and happiness.
Jobo
PS – new article about to pop up in a few minutes….
Morning Tommy
I remember reading Stan Bowles’ book and he recalled a night with you and Jinky when you were invited to play for england against Germany to commemorate their 66 success. Sounded like some night and he said you well looked after the Wee man that night. Also want to ask if you remember Victor Kasuli when you were Albion Rovers manager, I played with him in school team and met him a few years ago, he was terrified of you ha ha, but had total respect for you
All the best Tommy and good health to you and yours
HH
Sorry not shat :) but what !!
Tommy
Do you see our future playing outwith Scotland?
Ohhhh and from a poster yesterday
“Era bar or King lud”? :)))
Thank you for enough memories to last a lifetime and beyond
HH & Y.N.W.A
IGC
There’s little doubt that Celtic have one of the most massive fan bases in the world of football.
You can be absolutely certain the club is currently exploring every way to add to the legions.
Yes, Ireland and America are huge market places for Celtic and I genuinely believe you are more likely to meet supporters of Celtic than, say, Manchester United dotted around the globe.
Celtic have the potential to be the biggest football club on the planet. I really mean that.
Hi Tommy
Thanks for answering my questions yesterday but, more importantly, thanks for all the great memories you gave us all.
Of all the penalties that you took there can’t have been many more important than the one against St Ettiene just before half time. Did you get nervous before it? Also, can you remember why we wore all white that night?
Looking forward to reading your book.
Tommy
My bhoy is playing in Scottish cup final next weekend U15
Any advice for Chico just so that I can tell him it came from a lion.
johann murdoch –
one of the most interesting spelling mistakes of the season ;-)
Tommy
I played in 2004 at Estadio Nacional. I wad at a stag weekend. You can now rent it out on an hourly basis. It’s looking prett dilapidated. Well it was then but I loved it. We won but it still brought a wee tear to my eye.
Any plans to visit it when in Lisbon ?
HH
CRC
The day I went to step over the seats to come speak to you and Cowiebhoy … And nearly slipped on my Archie ( most would have enjoyed it if I had )
I think I might have needed a crane that day and also when I brought £50 worth of ginger bottles to pay for my ticket
Was wonderfull last night taking to Tommy Gemmell on CQN.
I see you are back again :)
How did you feel watching the team you managed beat Celtic 5 1 in April 1980? A game that helped Aberdeen win the league :(( Must have been a proud day for you in one sense
joe filippis haircut
Neil Lennon has been nothing less than exceptionally professional since taking over as Celtic manager. Remember, we were in dire straits at the time.
I’m not having a go at Tony Mowbray, but Celtic should never lose 4-0 to St Mirren and I mean no disrespect to the Paisley club when I say that.
That was his last game as Hoops boss and Neil had to suddenly step up.
He brought much-needed enthusiasm to the role.
If you do a good job, as Neil has done, you will attract attention from other clubs.
However, you can’t really compare Norwich City to Celtic.
**** NEW ARTICLE POSTED ****
jude2005
Yes, I heard Willie Henderson make that remark, but I still think he might be confusing me with another Celtic player.
Jim Kennedy, for instance, was never shy in giving opponents a wee dig.
Me? Never!
beatbhoy
I think I could have fitted into any team that liked to encourage attacking play.
I reveal in the book that Barcelona once wanted to sign me, so I think I could have done a job there.
Basically, I would like to think I could have fitted in at most clubs.
Tommy
You need to change threads as Paul has put up a new article.
Click here
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=15289#comments
HH
Tommy
You’re a Lanarkshire man and it’s a Saturday morning.
Sure it’s “sliced” sausage, not square?
(It’s not square anyway. It’s an isosceles trapezium, right?)
justafan
It’s taken me 70 years to become a Super hero!
Wee Jinky was an absolute dream to play alongside. He could take the ball for a walk and give us all the chance to catch our breath.
When I played at right-back I hadn’t a clue what he was going to do next.
Mind you, Jinky probably didn’t know himself!
But he was different class. I loved that wee Man.
dan
Good question. Jock’s influence was everywhere at the club and not just out on the pitch.
He changed things in training and, basically, made us all more professional. I think he took our old training gear away and burned it!
He made us into winners, too.
I believe the likes of Jinky, Bobby Murdoch, Billy McNeil et al would have all made an impact, but it was Jock who pulled it all together.
livibhoy
You would have to ask the producers of the shows. That’s their call.
I’ve done radio work in the past and quite enjoyed it, but I could never have made a career in that sphere.
I’ll leave that to the likes of Lineker, Hansen, Shearer etc.
henry clarson
Thanks for that wonderful ditty. I wonder why The Who never thought about releasing it.
It would have been a surefire No.1!
Mr Gemmell
——–
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
12:08 on 17 May, 2014
Tommy
You need to change threads as Paul has put up a new article.
Click here
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=15289#comments
HH
tommy gemmell
Everybody will change to the new thread Tommy. You need to go there
See my post above
HH
It may have been advisable for CQN to have given brief details to the blog on the makeup of CQN books, what its aims were and a back of a fag packet accounts outlining where the money would go, as is clearly the case no information creates a vacuum where questions are raised with no information, we have all seen the results in the last 24 hours, it is not necessary to know to the last penny what someone earns through CQN books, but information that they are getting some money for quite clearly a lot of work maybe should have been shared at the beginning,
It is a broad church of a blog housing a wide spectrum of sporting, political and religious opinion as long as you don’t break the house rules (language) then the blog has to be allowed to breathe with the oxygen of free speech, expect your views and opinions to be challenged no matter who you are should be accepted, its the Celtic way
This blog has been for me at times a wonderful education and fantastic entertainment especially the moonhowlers (love them) but most of all i have loved the charitable side of the blog, been very fortunate met some terrific CQN’s at various charity events where i was able to participate and make a small contribution in keeping with the clubs founding ethos, very proud of the blogs charitable side, it sets us apart
With a blog name Lionroars its no surprise that i love that team the lisbon lions, i was 9 when we won that cup they were my boyhood heroes every member of that squad was and still is idolised by me, so no criticism of TG from me, its his book!
I loathe the MSM in general, language rules prevent me from saying what i feel about sporting tabloid hacks, i am with those who condemn the DR and its relentless attacks on all matters Celtic, what a dichotomy ? support TG and support those who have attacked the DR its the Celtic way to be a rebel is it not
Enjoy the blog, celebrate viva la difference, park the ego aside and blog your opinions
yogihughes
The St Mirren game you talk about was actually played on November 5 1966 and I remember it well.
I played centre-half that afternoon as Big Billy was injured. I think that was the only game he missed all season.
The Saints made it tough for us in that game and I remember Denis Connaghan having a blinder.
Yes, I did score with a long-range shot in a 1-1 draw, but time certainly lends enchantment, doesn’t it?
Denis wasn’t taken into the net with the ball. In fact, he never got near it!
And, of course, Denis became a team-mate at Celtic later in his career.
mcbhoy
Football agents appear to be a necessary evil, but some do great work for their clients.
It would have been handy to have had an agent when I was playing.
I wonder how Big Jock would have treated them, though!
sirenbhoy
Thanks for the kind words and ten out of ten for your memory.
If I made you happy, then I’m chuffed, too.
All the best.
just a fan
Yes, I’ll be out and about doing book signings, so keep your eye bon CQN for details.
Don’t forget also that you can get a personalised signed message from Winning Captains. The address is: david@CQNmagazine.com.
Hi Tommy,
Thanks for getting back to me. I am a big critic of Peter Lawwell generally but I agree I think the club now get how important you all are to us. I’m not so sure our previous regimes got your importance though.
Best wishes to you and yours mate.
NA
jeg er neil
I recall a few goals against Clyde in my career.
However, I didn’t get on the scoresheet in the last-ever appearance from the Lisbon Lions when we beat the Shawfield side 6-1 at Celtic Park.
The goals that day were scored by Bobby Lennox (3), Willie Wallace (2) and Stevie Chalmers.