Thomas Gemmell

Thomas "Tommy" Gemmell (16 October 1943 – 2 March 2017) was a Scottish football player and manager. Although right-footed, he excelled as a left-sided fullback and had powerful shooting ability. Gemmell is best known as one of the Celtic side who won the 1966–67 European Cup; he scored the first Celtic goal in the final. Gemmell played 18 times for Scotland, and also played for Nottingham Forest, Miami Toros and Dundee. After retiring as a player in 1977, Gemmell managed Dundee and Albion Rovers.

Playing career

In October 1961, Gemmell joined Celtic from Coltness United. He was one of the 'Lisbon Lions' who won the 1967 European Cup Final against Inter Milan, in which Gemmell scored a spectacular equalising goal. Ironically, Gemmell should not have been in position to score the goal, as he had ignored team orders for one full-back to stay in defence at all times. He also scored in the 1970 European Cup Final in a defeat to Feyenoord, making him currently one of only two British footballers to score in two different European Cup Finals, the other being Phil Neal of Liverpool. He made 418 appearances for Celtic and scored 63 goals. This total comprised 247 league (37 goals), 43 cup (5 goals), 74 league cup (10 goals) and 54 European (12 goals) appearances. His record for penalties was 34 goals from 37 attempts. In his book, Lion Heart, Gemmell revealed that during his time at Celtic he was on the receiving end of sectarian abuse from certain team mates. Gemmell stated that he and team-mate Ian Young had been the target of "a handful" of colleagues who had wanted an all-Catholic team.

In December 1971, Gemmell was transferred to Nottingham Forest to cover for Liam O'Kane. After a short stint with the Miami Toros in the North American Soccer League he returned to Scotland, signing for Dundee in July 1973, and won the 1973–74 Scottish League Cup against former team Celtic.

He made his international debut for Scotland against England in April 1966. The following year, he played in the famous 3–2 victory over World Champions England at Wembley Stadium. He won 18 caps and scored one goal from the penalty spot against Cyprus in an 8–0 win in a 1970 World Cup qualifier.

Gemmell final Scotland appearance came in 1971. He became a manager after he retired from playing in 1977.

Gemmell was inducted to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Gemmell managed Dundee from 1 June 1977 to 15 April 1980. He also managed Albion Rovers from 1986–1987 and again from 1993–1994. He signed Jimmy Johnstone, his former teammate at Celtic, for Dundee. Johnstone later admitted that he took liberties during this time because Gemmell was his friend.

Death

Gemmell died on 2 March 2017, aged 73, after a long illness.