Tommy Gemmell, Celtic hero and ‘Lisbon Lion’, has died after a long illness

Tommy Gemmell, a member of Celtic’s ‘Lisbon Lions’ team who won the 1967 European Cup, has died at the age of 73 after a long illness.

Gemmell scored the equaliser in the final against Internazionale in the Portugal capital almost 50 years ago, with Stevie Chalmers scoring the winner after another Gemmell raid down the left flank.

Celtic said in a statement on Thursday morning: “The whole Celtic family is mourning his passing, and everyone associated with the club sends their thoughts and prayers to his family, his fellow Lions and his many friends at this desperately sad time.”

Gemmell, who was capped 18 times by Scotland and played in the 3-2 victory against the World Cup winners England at Wembley in 1967, also scored in the 1970 final when the Hoops were defeated by the Dutch side Feyenoord. He spent 10 years at Parkhead between 1961 and 1971, making 418 appearances and scoring 63 goals.

He won six league titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups plus that European Cup in 1967. Celtic were the first British club to win the competition.

His death comes days after the family of Billy McNeill confirmed the Lisbon Lions captain has dementia, and shortly before the 50th anniversary of Celtic’s greatest triumph. Their fans have paid tribute to their most famous team in the 67th minute of each game in recent months with a light display and song, In The Heat Of Lisbon.

Celtic’s statement said: “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 when, in Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional, 11 men all born within a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park, beat Inter Milan to win the European Cup.

“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. And, like the rest of the Lions, Tommy remained humble about his incredible football achievements.”

Gemmell joined Nottingham Forest in 1971 and spent two years with the East Midlands club. He spent a short time in the US with the Miami Toros before moving on to Dundee, who he captained to victory against Celtic in the 1973 League Cup final after scoring the only goal in the Hampden semi-final win over Kilmarnock. He remains the last man to lift a major trophy for the club and retired in 1977.

He went on to manage Dundee for three years, the highlight being promotion back to the Premier League in 1978–79 as champions. He also had two spells in charge of Albion Rovers six years apart.

“I’m devastated, absolutely heartbroken,” said Bertie Auld, a fellow Lion. “Tommy was one of my favourite people, a great colleague and a genuine pal.”

Murdo MacLeod, a former Celtic midfielder who also spent a spell as assistant manager at Parkhead, described Gemmell as “one of the greats”. He told BBC Scotland: “I know he had been struggling over the last few months. Just really sad news.

“He’s obviously been one of the greats at Celtic Park to be part of the European Cup-winning side. A top player, one of the first defenders getting forward all the time. [It’s] just so sad. We heard Billy McNeill’s news over the last few days and now this. It’s just very sad.”

Celtic’s chief executive, Peter Lawwell, said: “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.

“Tommy will forever hold his rightful place as one of the true Celtic legends. In this particular year it is so very sad to lose such an important figure – while we mourn his loss, I am sure all our supporters will also celebrate the life and the wonderful achievements of the great Tommy Gemmell.”

There were also tributes from his other clubs. “Nottingham Forest were saddened to hear of the passing of former player Tommy Gemmell this morning,” read a statement from the club for whom he made 39 league appearances and scored six goals from 1971–73. “Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their condolences to Tommy’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Albion Rovers said in a statement: “Everyone at Albion Rovers FC, fans and staff would like to pass on our condolences to the Gemmell family after the sad passing of ex-Albion Rovers manager and Celtic legend Tommy Gemmell today. Tommy was in charge from 1986–87 and built up the majority of the squad that Davie Provan won the league with. Tommy returned to manage the club in 1993-1994 season. RIP Tommy Gemmell.”

And Dundee said: Everyone at Dundee Football Club was saddened to hear of the death of former player and manager Tommy Gemmell. The thoughts of everyone at Dens are with Tommy’s family and friends at this sad time.”

His death means there are only seven Lisbon Lions left – McNeill, Auld, Bobby Lennox, Willie Wallace, Jim Craig, Stevie Chalmers and John Clark.