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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| May 28 2008, 9:31 AM EDT | joebloggscity | 30 words added, 1 photo added, 1 photo deleted |
| May 27 2008, 4:47 PM EDT | TheHumanTorpedo | 2 words added, 1 word deleted |
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Full name: Tommy Gemmell
Born: 16 Oct 1943
Birthplace: Motherwell
Signed for Celtic: 1961
Left: Dec 1971
Games: 418
Goals: 64
Caps: 18 for Scotland
Summary
Tommy Gemmell is another Celtic legend, member of the Lisbon Lions, who scored the equalising goal in the final as Celtic lifted the European Cup in 1967.
He also scored in the 1970 final, making him one of an elite of footballers to score in two finals. Jock Stein called him the greatest left back in the world and, in 2002, he was voted by the fans onto the club's Greatest Ever team.
Tommy Gemmell was born on 16 October 1943 in Motherwell and raised in Craigneuk. He played right wing for his school team and only moved to left back when his amateur team Meadow Thistle were short of a full back. He joined Celtic from junior club Coltness United in 1961, although he had already been training with the club two evenings per week. He signed provisional forms on the same night as Jimmy Johnstone.
Gemmell quickly became known not only for his stalwart defending but also for his charges forward and his thunderbolt strikes at goal. Even before the European Cup final, Gemmell was known for his long-range shots at goal. On September 28th 1966, he became the first Celtic player to score in the European Cup when he netted against FC Zurich at Parkhead.
Gemmell scored 64 goals in 418 appearances for Celtic, 31 of those from the penalty spot. In his ten years at Celtic Park, he missed just three spot-kicks.
He made his debut for Scotland in April 1966, losing 4-3 to England at Hampden. He won 18 caps but perhaps gained more notoriety for his sending off (the first of his career) in October 1969 against West Germany in a crucial qualifying match which the Scots lost 3-2.
After leaving Celtic in December 1971, he spent two years at Nottingham Forest, playing alongside Martin O'Neill and John Robertson. He then spent three years at Dundee from 1973 to 1976, captaining the Dens Park side to a 1-0 win over Celtic in the League Cup final of December, 1973.
On retiring in December 1976, the Celtic legend managed Dundee from 1977 until 1980. After being sacked by Dundee, he managed Albion Rovers.
Books
- Autobiography
Links
Pictures
