Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pays tribute to Tommy Gemmell
Friday 3 March 2017 17:39, UK
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has paid tribute to Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell, who died on Thursday at the age of 73 following a long battle with illness.
Full-back Gemmell scored the opening goal in the 1967 European Cup final victory over Inter Milan and was also on target in the final three years later when the Hoops were beaten 2-1 after extra-time by Feyenoord.
The news of Gemmell's death came the morning after Rodgers's side had extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 27 points with a 4-0 win at Inverness and Rodgers admitted the whole club had been shocked by Gemmill's passing.
"It was a sad day for us all yesterday [Thursday]," Rodgers told Celtic's website.
"We came off the back of a good performance and win on Wednesday night, and we got up in the morning and realised one of the club's great players had passed away.
"It was a sad day for everyone connected with the club. Firstly, he was a brilliant player. Maybe, lots of people down south wouldn't recognise what Tommy Gemmell was.
"But if you talk about the modern-day full-back of getting forward, attacking, Tommy Gemmell was that in the 1960s. Not too many full-backs score in two European Cup finals.
"He went on and played 418 games for Celtic, a real living legend of the club and he lived his life as a Lisbon Lion after playing for Celtic and he regarded that role as a real ambassador of honour of the club. Until his last breath, Celtic was in his heart."
Although many of the Lions have been regular visitors to Celtic Park on matchdays, Gemmell's illness prevented him from doing so this season, meaning Rodgers never got to meet the club legend.
"He is someone who will never be forgotten and his family will always be welcome at Celtic. He was an incredible player, an incredible man," added Rodgers.
"I never had the great fortune to meet him but if he was like any of the other Lisbon Lions that I have met, they are really humble guys who set this club on a path to what it is today - which is one of the great clubs in the world.
"If it wasn't for Tommy and guys like him then Celtic wouldn't be the iconic club it is.
"Our condolences are with his family, of course, and we will pay that respect at the game on Sunday."
Celtic confirmed a minute's silence in tribute to Gemmell will be held before Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final against St Mirren.
