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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Pogmathonyahun aka Laird of the Smiles
14:52 on 16 May, 2014
Tommy you are and always will be a legend, but can you still do this?
http://i61.tinypic.com/vzhfkx.jpg
___________________
Marvellous.
I bet he could as well, if he really had to, the smile might be a grimace howevah.
kitalba
No, I don’t think the Celtic supporters were paranoid.
Remember, I was playing when there were more than a few decisions went against us. I touch on that subject in the book.
And, yes, I was a Motherwell supporter as a kid.
I’m Celtic through and through now, of course.
guyfawkes
Playing with a swagger? I think this quite a revealing part of the book, so I can’t say too much.
But I liked to be flamboyant and I thought the Celtic fans deserved the very best and I did my best to deliver.
http://talkingbaws.com/2014/05/16/celtic-strikers-anthony-stokes-leigh-griffiths-finally-get-a-hair-transplant/
Never mind yer hairy bikers. Whit aboot oor hairy strikers!
Tommy Gemmell
Thanks for the reply. You will be pleased to know that it was the correct answer!
p.s. Jim Craig would never have got that right!
igc
Beating Celtic in the League Cup Final with Dundee was an experience I will never forget, that’s for sure.
I was skipper of the Dens Park side and had to be forced up the stairs at Hampden to be awarded the trophy.
If you ever watch footage of that moment, just clock at how quickly I pass the Cup onto our goalkeeper Thomson Allan who was just behind me.
Actually, it was a little embarrassing because I recognised so many Celtic fans in the stand as I went up for the trophy.
Wee Jinky was one of the first into our dressing room to congratulate me.
That was a fabulous gesture by the Wee Man because I knew how he must have been hurting at the time.
Here TG do you remember playing in front of Frank Haffey at the Shire ground in Falkirk early 60’s…..Frank swinging from the xbar.
Whit about Hugh Maxwell…..
Paddy T was aforesaid your time a think
Tommy Gemmell
As soon as AS and LG have got enough hair they’re going for the TG quiff. True or false?
paul67
Difficult to call that one, Paul. Yes, we were a very good team in 1970 and the games against Leeds United proved that.
But we didn’t get a trophy at the end of it, so that might tell you something.
Big Jock had brought through the likes of Davie Hay and Jim Brogan to play against Feyenoord and, of course, George Connelly came on as a substitute. Evan Williams had replaced Ronnie Simpson in goal, too.
Were they better than the likes of John Clark, Jim Craig etc?
Let’s just say Celtic had two very good teams in that era.
Just tried to tell Tommy that he was over his agreed time – Come in Big Shot you’re time is up!
He’s refused to budge and says it isn’t fair on the folk who are just coming in from their work.
He’s going to be on here until at least 5pm!
Anyone who wants Tommy to sign his book and write a personal message please let me know. Email is david@CQNMagazine.com
Send over your message etc and we’ll sort out the payment later. If you are reading this later in the evening you can still send the email as we are taking the books to TG tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who has ordered today.
robinbhoy
Sorry to hear I made your dad swear with my goal against Inter Milan!
I was doing a fair bit of swearing myself up until that point!
Thank you, too, for your very good wishes. Much appreciated.
TG
Era Bar or King Lud
Love
Tommy Gemmell, it has been an absolute pleasure.
Take care.
I must be off now as I am sneakying away from work early to play footy. I think I’ve earned it with all the work I have done today, ahem, in between reading your comments.
I will read the remainder tonight.
winning captains
He is going to be on here all night!
He may just have a shout in the quiz.
LB
MWD
Just noticed your post earlier about EmbraMike. I have a number for him.
LB
glasgowdave
Yes, of course, you should buy the book!
It’s vastly different from anything I’ve done in the past. There’s a bit more humour in it, for a start.
Winning in Lisbon had its own rewards and I’m not just talking about finances.
There is something wonderful in fans wanting to talk about the Lisbon era. You would have thought I just packed up playing last week!
Thanks, Tommy.
We are so lucky to be having debates like this. Two great teams indeed.
abbot of clonmacnois
The guys I got on best with in the Inter Milan team were Sarti and Facchetti.
Mazzola and I have met on a couple of occasions, but we never kept in touch.
I thought he was a fabulous player. Very skilful and a deep thinker.
In fact, I would say he was ahead of his time as a centre-forward.
LiviBhoy
Big Yogi loved being on the blog, as did WW, who is back in Scotland in the next day or so.
Tommy
G’day from Adelaide.
In Lisbon 67, was there ever a point in the game when you felt comfortable that the win was there? Was it relief at the final whistle or did you feel everything had gone to plan and you could relax a bit and enjoy the occasion?
S
Tommy Gemmell
You’ve shown absolute class by staying on the blog later than you planned.
I had the privilege to see you playing many times and today has brought back many great memories.
What were your feelings in the dressing room in Lisbon when Big Billy had to go out on his own to receive the Big Cup? Were you a bit sad that you couldn’t parade the trophy?
igc
Wee Jinky was a special human being and, clearly, I enjoyed his company on and off the park.
It was disappointing how things turned out at Dundee because he still had all the ability in the world.
But he was a Celtic man and everything else was secondary. I’ve written in the book about his drinking escapade with Gordon Strachan and, looking back, it was just hilarious. But Jinky was a complete one-off and I still miss the Wee Man. He is never far from my thoughts. I hope I do him justice in the book.
Tommy
Thank you.
All the best.
Paul67,
Two teams, I was reminded of the fantastic Sevilla team from Juande Ramos’ time there.
Spurs thought they could get the Manager and everything sorted. Nah. The Structure is what makes success as you quite rightly said a long time ago now, all relative. When Juande was leaving for Spurs he said Sevilla will still do well because of the Structure.
Hail Hail
aye, I hope Neil stays Big Time. Fred C knows this.
fencelt
Yes, Big Jock didn’t encourage both full-backs to go forward at the same time, so, in reality, I shouldn’t have been in position to score the leveller against Inter Milan after being set up by Cairney.
The adrenalin was pumping, though, and I knew I just had to get up and support the attack.
Funnily enough, Big Jock might not have been too happy, but he never mentioned it.
I wonder why?
winning captains
I hope you can persuade some more former players and other people to take part in this. It truly is ground breaking.
LB
Tommy
Greetings from Minneapolis. Thanks for taking the time out to chat with us. I was only 6 in 1967 so have fading memories, mainly in the aftermath of the game. Was living in Alexandra Parade at the time and remember looking out the window to see the parade lined with Celtic supporters dancing. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Thank you so much for the memories.
What did you think about the crown invasion after the match? Did it spoil the occasion for you and the rest of the team?
thanks for reply Tommy. I was chatting to Bertie Auld a while ago, and it’s amazing the presence that all the lions have- you can tell even now that you guys were special
Thank You Tommy G.
Tommy, best of luck and good health for the future.
Take care……….
RobinBhoy
Tallybhoy
Thanks for your text. Haven’t been able to reply: issues with my phone. You’ll never guess who I met today for the first time in years. Yes, the fragrant “La Morton.” Unbelievable!
She said she was talking about me the other day and I told her I knew all about it. You should have seen her face; what a picture.
yogihughes
15:59 on 16 May, 2014
Hi Tommy,
I’ve just signed on, so hopefully not repeating anything.
What do you think was the hardest you ever hit the ball and scored? I remember one against Denis Connachan in November 1966, when it was so hard it took Denis into the goal as well. I think it was the only way we were going to score that day since Denis was having the game of his life.
Thanks.
Two legends on the blog at the same time,fantastic.
HH
bocchinibhoy
Kenny Aird, of St Johnstone, was a smashing wee outside-right. Not a lot of people will know this, but he started his career at Celtic before being freed.
Obviously, he couldn’t get into the first team because of Wee Jinky.
Partick Thistle had a good wee outside-right by the name of Ian Cowan and he kept me on my toes, as well.
I recall a game against the Jags at Firhill one wet and windy Wednesday night when Cowan, a red head like Jinky, blew his top after a clash with our wee man. Tiny Wharton was the referee who stepped in to sort things out before both were sent off. Thankfully, Tony was about 6ft 4in and could handle himself.
There were a few good right-wingers in my time and, yes, Kenny Aird was one of the best.
Just saw a car with reg plate D#* HUN. Driver is either very unfortunate….or very unfortunate.
Unlucky!
HH Tommy G. How can a goal you scored 2 years before my birth bring tears to my eyes every time I see it?!?
CelticMagicCSC
HH jamesgang
Tommy
Not a question, I’ve had my turn, and time is running on.
I just wanted to say thank you for everything you, and your team mates done for Celtic. That European Cup win has given us supporters something unique, being the first British side to do it, and of course the only Scottish side who will ever do it.
Memories of going to see you play, travelling on the supporters bus, getting a sweep ticket with a Celtic player name on it, special goals, special games, special victories. All memories we will take to the grave and we have you and the other lions to thank.
Wishing you every success with your book and especially wishing good health to you and your loved ones.
God bless.
lennon n mc….mjallby
That little shimmy before I passed to Bobby Murdoch to set up the winner against Inter Milan was completely off the cuff.
I never saw myself as a Wee Jinky, but at that stage I knew were going to win.
It was a little bit of bravado, but I was on Cloud Nine at the time and I knew we had Inter on the ropes.
desertbhoy
Are you talking about the lorry that took us round Celtic Park after the Lisbon win?
I didn’t even notice.
I could have been on a Penny Farthing and I wouldn’t have known.
All I can recall is looking out over the terracings and seeing the happiest set of supporters in the world.
Magnificence