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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31003
Big Jock would insist his keepers threw the ball to someone to start our attacks. It was rare to see a Celtic goalie simply blast the ball down the park.
I remember talking to Evan Williams after his debut and he told me he had never seen players like his new team-mates.
“Everyone wants the ball!” he told me. Wee Bertie even shouted at our new keeper when he threw the ball out to me once.
“Hey, Evan,” he bellowed. “What’s the matter with me? Have I got the plague?”
Happy days.
paddyturner
Yes, Frank Haffey was a bit of a character and I talk about him in the book. He thought nothing of swinging from a crossbar from time to time. My heart would be in my mouth when he went through one of his impromptu routines. Are all goalkeepers crazy? Big Frank provided the answer to that question.
Hugh Maxwell joined us from Falkirk, but didn’t even last a full season before Big Jock sold him to St Johnstone.
Paddy Turner came to us from Morton and I played a handful of games alongside him in 1963.
He had a nice touch, but never quite made the grade. I think he returned to Irish football after his brief spell at Celtic.
Hi Tommy
Thanks for everything Big Yin.
My questions are bookie related !
St Johnstone or Dundee United today ?
Ps Did you take advantage of yesterday’s tip, Dawn Commander ?
TOMMY GEMMELL
Thanks very much for answering, Tommy. You’d have been a sensation in some of those teams nowadays, just as you were for us.
I suppose you have a tight itinerary for your Lisbon trip, but if you and the other Legends are out and about in Lisbon, this is a great place for a bite to eat and a beer.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=cervejaria%20trindade%20lisboa&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CE4QFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.golisbon.com%2Ffood%2Frestaurants%2FCervejaria-Trindade.html&ei=QUB2U7LcNca1PNTIgLgC&usg=AFQjCNFSwwWN6Nt1FCk7sj5osZfHhAu6fg&bvm=bv.66699033,d.ZWU
Tommy, as Awe Naw says, people have moved on to the new article. If you click on the large CQN title at the top of the page it will take you to it. Then click on the comments number to see what people are saying. Don’t want you to miss all the gratitude coming your way!
glendalystonsils
I think the TG quiff should make a comeback! If Leigh Griffiths and Anthony Stokes really want to look the part then I can give them the name of a good barber.
By the way, what’s the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut?
Answer: About a week!
spirit of Arthur Lee
Era Bar or King Lud? Two good wee pubs when I was growing up in Craigneuk.
I was too young to drink.
Tommy Gemmell
Mr Gemmell , I know you had a rocket powered shot (some went in ) :O)
But you missed a chance to be an even bigger legend if you had done
the famous ‘CQN FLOUNCE’ yesterday,have enjoyed your posts Sir
best of luck to you and yours .HH
shady
Hello Adelaide! Lisbon went very much to plan although we hadn’t budgeted for Inter Milan getting a seventh minute penalty!
But that actually worked in our favour because they retreated into defence and that gave us the chance to get at them.
As soon as I scored I knew we would win.
The Italians just didn’t have an answer to us that day.
Mind you, I’m not being big-headed when I say this, but not many teams would have lived with Celtic in that mood.
TG
Cheers
jer57
It would have been marvellous to parade the European Cup in Lisbon. But what could we do? Our wonderful fans just couldn’t stay off the pitch. They wanted to join in and I didn’t blame them.
mncelt
Hello Minneapolis! I’ve just mentioned the crowd invasion in Lisbon. For me, it didn’t spoil the occasion.
Those supporters had been through a lot as Celtic fans and they just erupted with joy.
jamesgang
Yes, it was a special goal against Inter Milan, but I’m not sure I want it to bring tears to your eyes when you watch the footage!
Just enjoy it – I know I did. And still do!
Beatbhoy
Thanks xxx
HH
Hi Tommy
Kind of related to jobo’s question earlier
How do you think the team you played in would fair ob todays bowling green pitches?
hh
Tommy Gemmell
Hi Tommy, did you or any of the others in the team regret playing the third game against Racing Club , not taking into account the £250 each Celtic player was fined, but because they did everything they could to stop Celtic playing football.
Thanks for all the special memories I have of you and what you gave to all Celtic fans,
Best wishes and good health to you.
SPD 1956
I think TG has now moved to the new article. All change!!
An tearmann –
aye, the question he never answered (yet)! ;-)
Tommy Gemell has moved to the current thread.
HH
monteblanco
11:11 on 17 May, 2014
This place is mental.
Cracking post
FFA ah just came over
TnT / Desertbhoy,
This is what I received today – best of luck:
Elite have two runners both have come on for their first run of the season stars above me roger says if she settles in the early stages of the race she will go very close his other runner in the race go close as well man of Harlech at Doncaster Andrew expects him to win spark plug should follow him home and when I was at haydock last weekend monarche music should have won got in to all sorts of bother will win today happy punting
Plus from a different guy:
Knocknarrigan Punchestown 5-05.
Unfortunately morache music is now a non runner.
Cheers,
BJM