LISBON LIONS Tommy Gemmell and Jimmy Johnstone signed provisional forms for Celtic on the same evening of October 7 1961.
Previously, they had been on nodding terms at Burnbank Technical College when Gemmell trained as an electrician and Johnstone prepared for life as a welder in 1960.
Writer Alex Gordon co-authored Tommy Gemmell’s autobiography, All The Best, published in 2014, and recalls the genuine fondness the defender had for his long-time friend.
Here, in another CQN EXCLUSIVE, we turn back the clock to present the third and concluding instalment of a three-part series of Gemmell’s affectionate reminisces of Celtic’s Greatest-Ever Player.
Please enjoy!
JINKY was astonished to learn he had been voted Celtic’s Greatest-Ever Player in the supporters’ millennium poll. He was genuinely surprised.
He told me, ‘I thought they would give it to Henrik Larsson. Was I better than him, Big Man?’
I told him it was the choice of thousands of Celtic fans worldwide and he had won by a landslide.
‘The voting was unanimous, Wee Man.’ (I don’t know if that was strictly accurate, but it sounded convincing.)
Jinky was never one for long-winded speeches. He could sing ‘Dirty Old Town‘ all night long, but don’t put a microphone in front of him and expect to be regaled by an Orson Welles-type oratory.
However, he brought the house down on the night he went up onto the stage to collect his Greatest-Ever Player honour. It was a poignant address and there couldn’t have been a dry eye in the house after his brief speech.
‘There is wan guy no’ here the night who should be standing here wi’ this trophy,’ said Jinky. ‘Ah’m talkin’ about Bobby Murdoch. He wis the best, the absolute greatest, no’ me.
“Ah’m dedicating this award to Bobby.’
LEGENDS TOGETHER…Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Murdoch.
The applause seemed to go on for about half-an-hour. Another gesture that was so typical of a man I was always proud to call a friend. He would have given you his last.
Indeed, Bobby Murdoch was missing that evening; physically, anyway, but certainly there in spirit. Unfortunately, he had passed away the previous year, but the supporters never overlooked his worth to Celtic.
He was voted into their Greatest-Ever Celtic Team and he would have appreciated that honour.
The fans had chosen Ronnie Simpson as their top goalkeeper with Danny McGrain at right-back and myself on the left. Billy McNeill – who else? – was centre-half and captain.
Paul McStay, Bobby and Bertie Auld were in midfield and Jinky, Kenny Dalglish, Henrik Larsson and Bobby Lennox were the front four.
Not too shabby, is it?
