Tommy will forever hold his place as true Celtic legend
Club leads the tributes after the death of Lisbon Lion Gemmell at 73
TRIBUTES have flooded in for Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell who passed away at a Glasgow care home at the age of 73.
The Lisbon Lion, one of Celtic’s history-making 1967 European Cup winners had been unwell for some time and it was stated he died of natural causes.
Mary, his wife of 31 years, was by his bedside.
Former Scotland defender Gemmell scored in the 2-1 victory against Inter Milan in 1967 when Celtic became the first British club to win the European Cup. The Celtic side, were all born within 30 miles of the club’s ground.
Gemmell also found the back of the net in the 1970 final against Feyenoord in Milan, which Celtic lost.
During his 10 years at Celtic, the left back won six Scottish League titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups and the European Cup.
Gemmell’s passing comes just days after Billy McNeill’s family revealed the Lisbon Lions captain was battling dementia.
“Our thoughts are with Mary and Tommy’s family and friends at this very difficult time,” Celtic said.
Club chief executive Peter Lawwell expressed sadness at the loss of “a true Celtic giant”.
He also told of the club’s sadness at mourning the loss of one of its greatest ever players just three months before the 50th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions’ famous triumph.
Mr Lawwell said: “Everyone at Celtic is deeply saddened by the loss of Tommy, a true Celtic giant and a man who gave the club so many years of his life in an illustrious football career.
“Tommy was a Celtic great, one of football’s greats and I know he will be so sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
“He was a man of huge stature in the game and someone who made such an important mark on Celtic Football Club.”
He added: “Tommy will forever hold his rightful place as one of the true Celtic legends.”
Celtic fans and players past and present, including captain Scott Brown, told of their sadness at the Hoops icon’s death.
Fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld said: “He was the best left-back in the world at that time – without fear of contradiction.
“I loved the guy and it was obvious the Celtic fans did, too.
“He was undoubtedly one of the greatest-ever Celtic players and the supporters recognised that.”
Former Celtic player Murdo MacLeod said it was “very sad news” and described Gemmell as “one of the greats” while Scott Brown said it was a “sad day” describing him as a “Celtic legend”.
Celtic said Gemmell’s death will be mourned by Celtic supporters and also the wider football world.
“Tommy Gemmell is a true Celtic legend, part of the greatest side in the club’s history and a man who played a pivotal role in our greatest ever triumph in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional. The legend of the Lisbon Lions was created that night, and Tommy and his team-mates were assured their place in the pantheon of Celtic greats.”
While the world of football was remembering the Motherwell-born legend’s status as one of the famous Lisbon Lions, another Scottish club had reason to pay special recognition to the star for providing a special place in their history.
At Dens Park, Dundee FC were acknowledging Gemmell as the last man to lift a major trophy for the club.
He was the captain of the Dark Blues, who in December 15, 1973, won the Scottish League Cup beating none other than his beloved Celtic 1-0 in the final.
On the road to the final he scored the only goal of the game in the semi final win over Kilmarnock at Hampden.
“The thoughts of everyone at Dens are with Tommy’s family and friends at this sad time,” said Dundee, the club that he would later manage for three years and win them promotion back to the Premier League in 1978/79 as champions.
The official Dundee FC club historian Kenny Ross said: “He has a pivotal place in Dundee history and his team-mates said at the time that they would not have won the cup without him. He should be revered for that.”
After retiring as a player with Dundee in 1977, Gemmell also had two spells in charge of Albion Rovers, who greeted news of his passing “with great sadness”.
Celtic’s city rivals Rangers released their tribute, saying offering “sincere condolences” .
It added: “He was one of the great Celtic and Scotland players and will be sadly missed.
“Our thoughts are with Tommy’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”
And while he only spent just over a year at Nottingham Forest, the club paid its respects saying they were “saddened” by the news.